By Amelia Kibbe
Features Assignment Editor
One of the most exciting things about a new year is making New Year’s resolutions. With resolutions people attempt to amp up the year and make better lifestyle choices. Of course, these resolutions can be hard to keep. However, if accomplished, they can make for a great feeling of personal satisfaction.
This year, several Bonaventure students made resolutions that are fitness oriented. The frequent trips to the Hickey are becoming a reminder that constant eating and little exercise do not make for a healthy lifestyle.
Three freshman with fitness resolutions in mind are biology majors Cailin Monroe and Erin Izydorczak and chemistry major Vanessa Hulse. Together, under the supervision of freshman Bonaventure Cross Country member Alexis Young, these girls hope to begin a fitness program.
Young, a biology major, said she believes Hulse, Monroe, and Izydorczak can make a significant difference in just a few months. She said having a group of friends can make a daunting task seem much easier.
“I had jokingly told Cailin that I would coach her into shape because she mentioned she was running a 5k with her family in the near future. To my surprise, she took my comment seriously and asked if I would,” Young said. “Vanessa and Erin chimed in and wanted to be part of the group as well. It’s nice, because having them work together will help motivate them.”
Monroe said she thinks the workout plan devised by Young will be met with success. She said there are many components that made the plan not only promising, but possible.
“It’s so easy to get discouraged with a new fitness plan. But the way Alexis created the schedule is great. She slowly builds us up, so each day we do a little more than the day before,” Monroe said.
Like Young, Hulse agrees that the idea of working out in a group is a great way to commit to a New Year’s resolution.
“When I was home over break, I found it really hard to make myself get up and exercise, and the weather didn’t help any. But once I got back to school, both Erin and Cailin were nagging me to go the gym. I didn’t want to let them down, and I was glad to exercise again,” Hulse said.
Izydorczak said she believes New Year’s resolutions can be accomplished as long as the goals are reasonable. She hopes that if she makes small, purposeful attempts to improve one area of her life, the others will in turn improve.
“Having a fitness goal is a good idea because it does more than just make your body healthier,” said Izydorczak said. “When the stresses of social or academic problems become too much, exercise is a great solution. It is a cure for the mind and the body.”
Of course, not all new year’s resolutions revolve around fitness. All four girls made other resolutions. Some of them are focused, such as getting better grades in school, while others are just for fun.
“Of course, like everyone else, I want to receive better grades. But I also want to learn to play guitar,” Monroe said. “I don’t have a serious reason. I just want to have fun with it.”
Izydorczak says another one of her resolutions is not for her, but for the community. The past year, her family collected pop can tops to raise money to donate to children in need at local medical establishments. This year she plans to make the project even bigger.
“There is nothing like helping others,” she said. “The amazing success of last year’s project really encouraged me to continue this year. I have had family members benefit from donations such as these, so that makes it even more special to be able to help. And when you help others, you feel better about yourself. This is why I think New Year’s resolutions are a good idea. What do you have to lose? Take the chance.”
