Two days into the spring semester, the Alumni Arena gym is already flooded with students. Most students working out have frequented the gym in the past, but many are newcomers.
According to those who work there, the influx of neophytes is mainly due to freshly formed New Year's resolutions.
"If you come here you know you need to show your card and sign in," said Vanessa Graf, a junior political science major who works at Alumni Arena. "It seemed like there were a lot of new people because they asked me a lot of questions about the hours, using the gym and how to use the card, so I could tell they were first time users. It's definitely because of the New Year's resolutions."
One of the most popular choices for a New Year's resolution is getting in shape for the coming season. Many UB students have pledged their commitment to other traditional resolutions as well.
"I want to manage my time better by spreading my work out and avoiding procrastinating and cramming," said Elizabeth Lyboult, a sophomore pharmacy major.
"I just want to get good grades, just like anyone else who goes to school here," said Graf.
Andrew Michaeloff, a senior theatre major, had a resolution that was more spiritual.
"My new year's resolution is to make more me time and to not really care about what other people want from me," Michaeloff said. "I want to get the most out of life and not live through someone else."
Others like student union manager Jackie Johnston made resolutions that were more precise.
"I would like to get in shape by cutting sugar based drinks from my diet, " said Johnston.
Jennifer Jesse, a manager at Starbucks, wasn't fond of making New Year's resolutions, but had some insight into what normally happens.
"You usually do your resolutions for about a month and then you give up on them," Jesse said. "Usually people pick stuff that's unrealistic. It's either that or they get too lazy."
Leonard Simms, an assistant professor in the psychology department, offered some guidelines to follow when modifying behaviors.
"We are creatures of habit, so it's hard to change behaviors that are well and ingrained," Simms said. "We are also very busy. After a few weeks, demands that were once a high priority slowly drop down on the list."
Simms agrees with Jesse that you must be realistic when trying to change a behavior.
"If you are trying to lose weight, you should join a gym," said Simms. "Set reasonable goals and then reward yourself afterwards with something that you really enjoy. Focus on hitting milestones. If you expect to lose 50 pounds in a week, you will be disappointed, so you're likely to quit.
Despite the uphill battle that many people face sticking to their resolutions, there have been students whose commitment has paid off.
"Since I was nine years old I've been trying to stop biting my nails and two years ago I finally did it," said Elizabeth Urbanczyk, a freshman musical theatre major. "It's just a conscious effort to stick to it that makes it happen. Seeing them get longer every day really helps too."
Susan Slotoroff, a freshman theatre major, may be living proof that Simms method works.
"Last year my New Year's resolution was to get healthy and go to the gym everyday," said Slotoroff. "I kept it going and I'm still going today. Once I got in the habit of doing it was easy."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
