Why Your Resolutions to 'Get Fit' Will Fail.

Study points to self-consciousness as biggest factor standing in people's way 

"This year I'm gonna do it!"

Yeah, right.

Another New Year's Day has passed, and millions of Americans will resolve that this year, they'll exercise, lose weight, & get fit.

So why are so many of those resolutions caput by the end of January?

New research may shed some light on the problem.

People already know that exercise is good for them and can improve their self-image, as much as that smoking is bad.  As a matter of fact obese and overweight people, are even stronger believers in the importance of exercise than those of normal weight, according to researchers at George Washington University Medical Center.

But many overweight and obese people loathe the idea of huffing and puffing in front of younger, thinner gym-goers, the poll found. They also feel embarrassed about sweating it out in front of those svelte, muscular health club staffers.

That kind of self-consciousness may affect females more than males. Compared to men of all sizes, women are more likely to feel intimidated about using complicated equipment, to feel pressure to exercise in trendy clothes and to fret about exercising in front of the opposite sex.

So in the end it's emotions, not a lack of determination, that may keep people from regular exercise.

Overweight people have received the message from their physicians, family, the TV, and the magazine counter about the importance of exercise. They get the message!  The negativism or barriers that are associated with not participating in exercise are psycho-emotional, and they apparently differ between men and women.

Two-thirds of U.S. residents are now overweight or obese, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  

Obesity rates have doubled for adults and tripled for children since 1980.

Yet, only about 30 percent of those trying to lose weight meet the National Institutes of Health exercise recommendations to get five hours per week of moderate aerobic activity, according to a recent study.

Though several recent studies have called into question how much exercise helps with losing weight, exercise does reduce obesity-related diseases and has been shown to help people who have lost weight keep it off.

In the study, about 18 percent of respondents belonged to a health club while 82 percent did not. About two-thirds were overweight or obese. The more someone weighed, the lower their assessment of their own health. Yet despite being well aware that they need to exercise, negative feelings about the health club environment kept them from doing so.

Of course, sympathizers would want health clubs to do whatever they can to make overweight people more comfortable with coming in.  The conundrum is that obese people know they're obese and have a history of failure with this and that diet, pill and infomercial pitch.   So, they won't come in to a gym due to a sub-conscious perception of anticipatory failure, but also out of embarassment.

Suggesstions of taking small steps toward weight loss may be the key. Instead of committing to daily spinning classes at the local health club, obese people may choose to start by making smaller, incremental changes, such as taking the stairs or walking for a few extra minutes a day.  They should not expect to lose 18-30 pounds a week like they see on week one of the Biggest Loser.

When it comes to diet, small changes can also add up to big weight loss, from using mustard instead of mayo on a sandwich to trying to eat just a bit less each day.

Also, if a gym full of fit and attractive people makes you uncomfortable, try a specialty gym that caters to women only, or an online or community-based weight loss support group.  Or try going to one of your community parks for a brisk walk and some fresh air, since exercise is not the sole domain of health clubs.