As the world says goodbye to 2008 and hello to 2009, the lingering effects of last year — belly fat, cigarette addiction, heaps of debt — linger on for some people.
But they’re going to do something about it this year. No, really, they promise. And this time they’re serious.
Slimming down, stopping smoking and reducing debt almost always top the list of annual New Year’s resolutions and, according to some Chattanoogans, they’re still No. 1 on the hitlist.
“This is the year I’m finally going to quit smoking,” said Janet Hembrick, 35, of Chattanooga, who had just put out a cigarette while waiting on a bus Wednesday.
Michelle Pendergrass vows to shed some debt and manage her finances better.
“I’ve really got to make a budget and stick with it,” said the 23-year-old resident of Rossville, Ga. “The first thing I’m going to do is to keep a better check register — writing down all my ATM purchases and what-not.”
She also plans to trim her waistline by cutting calories and being more active.
“I want to just get in better shape,” she said. “I don’t need to look like a super model, or even lose much weight, but I do need to take better care of my body.”
Every year, gyms, quit-smoking hotlines and financial planning offices see a rush at the first of January.
In Tennessee, the Tobacco QuitLine, a hot-line support system for tobacco users, sees increased traffic, officials say. Although call numbers are only tracked quarterly and therefore don’t reveal a trend, state officials say faxed referrals from health care providers double during January.
“We also offer smoking cessation services at our county health departments,” said Shelley Walker, spokeswoman for the Tennessee Department of Health. “We’ve launched an aggressive screening program through which all patients at county health departments are asked about tobacco use, and if they’d like to quit.”
There’s no charge for the Quit Line. The number is 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Gyms see increased business, too, said Kyle Johnston, manager of Fitness Together, which operates two personal training facilities in Chattanooga.
“We’re smaller, but larger gyms might see 300 or more new members during January,” he said. “Our goal is more like 10 new members.”
Both Ms. Walker and Mr. Johnston admit many who vow to make life changes at the new year often fail before the month’s end.
“A lot of people don’t stick to their plan after February,” Mr. Johnston said. “But that’s where having a good plan, good goals and some help can come in.”
Obviously, since Mr. Johnston’s employer is in the personal training and gym membership business, he encourages those services as a way to provide accountability. But he said that same support can be found away from his establishment.
“Sometimes, you just need a workout partner to help you get a good schedule and to make sure you follow through,” he said.
When it comes to money problems, some will turn to Consumer Credit Counseling, a division of the Chattanooga Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, to help achieve their financial goals, said Dan Stevens, the group’s education specialist.
He says it’s “super, super” important for people to look at their finances and save for an emergency fund. Secondly, individuals and families should determine how much money they need to survive and then create a budget that provides the essentials first, he said.
“It’s so easy to get into debt — especially with credit cards,” he said. “In 1984, a study found that Americans were saving 10.8 percent of their incomes. In 2006, the same study showed we were saving minus 0.1 percent, so we were actually spending more than we were making.”
Still, some people seem to feel fine just the way they are. Walking the streets of Chattanooga Wednesday, it took more than a dozen tries to find someone who even had a New Year’s resolution. Most people said they don’t make resolutions because they’ve never kept them in the past.
But no matter when you make a vow to live healthier or spend more wisely, a key to being successful is simply to keep trying, say those making resolutions and those trying to help make those resolutions come true.
“If you fall down, you’ve got to get back up,” said Mr. Johnston.
Adam Crisp covers education issues for the Times Free Press. He joined the paper's staff in 2007 and initially covered crime, public safety, courts and general assignment topics. Prior to Chattanooga, Crisp was a crime reporter at the Savannah Morning News and has been a reporter and editor at community newspapers in southeast Georgia. In college, he led his student paper to a first-place general excellence award from the Georgia College Press Association. He earned ...
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