Lifestyle Changes Instead Of New Years Resolutions

By Jaimie Schmitz
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From saving money to losing weight, January is the month that many Americans set personal goals.

A recent study from Neilsen showed that the top New Year’s resolution involves getting into shape or losing weight.

In January the gyms fill up.  But just a few months later, the group exercises are over and the gym-goers seem scarce.

Instead of having a goal and then forgetting the resolutions, Shelby and Seth Snodgrass, personal trainers and owners of 719 Fitness, are hoping their New Year’s Challenge is more than just a goal to reach.

They want it to be a lifestyle change.

“Our goal with this is to help people change their lifestyles and not just lose weight,” Shelby said. “Our goal is to help people sustain this after the challenge.”

The “New Year, New You” Challenge is a 12-week weight loss challenge that is different than most.

“A lot of other weight loss challenges are four or eight weeks or a little bit shorter,” Shelby said. “Ours isn’t going to get over until April to make it more of a habit.”

The prizes for “New Year, New You” are bigger than most challenges as well. The first place prize is an eight-day, seven-night stay in Branson and a six-month free membership, second place is a six-month free membership and third place is a three-month free membership.  

“We wanted to give people incentives to do it,” Shelby explained.  “We wanted to help people change their lives and if they don’t get much of an incentive then they might not do it.”

Those taking part in the challenge will weigh in weekly, bi-weekly measurements, and 24/7 accesses to Seth and Shelby for support, guidance or questions.

They will be hosting a weekly exercise class in hopes that a group environment will motivate the participants.

“I’m going to run people through a few workouts and kind of take a vote on what they like and what they don’t like so that way I know how to set up a boot camp for them,” Seth said.  “I want to keep people interested.”

Shelby added, “It helps people not worry about what they need to do and they just have someone telling them. And it’s much cheaper than training.”

They are hoping the interest grows into a habit and then a lifestyle that can be enjoyed.

“Just have people be able to live a healthy lifestyle but still enjoy it and not feel restricted and miserable,” Seth said.  “I think that is the main thing that makes me want to do it.”

Seth and Shelby want to help the participants feel better while getting healthier. They hope that throughout the 12 weeks, members can see the long term effects.

“Someone once said that no one has problems losing weight. Everyone can lose weight,” Shelby said. “The problem is keeping it off. No one can keep it off.”

“It’s not a chore, you don’t want it to seem like that,” Seth Snodgrass said. “It’s something that is going to change their life and make them feel better and at the same time let them come in and enjoy it.”

The challenge starts on January 9 and participants can still join by calling 402-841-2123.