This is what I go to college for?

I felt the warmth on my skin as I bent down to pick it up. It seemed like the millionth one for the day. It is a damp warmth, one that seemed to penetrate the latex glove on my hand and put a chill down my spine. The past warnings became a reality, “The January Jerks” had arrived.
As an intern at a large chain lifestyle center I expected a rush for the New Year. I was cautioned not to assume much because the madness would exceed my expectations. I believe that now. It is udder chaos. The trends however are very entertaining.
At one point on the first Monday of the New Year, there was one piece of cardio equipment open. Usually there are several dozen vacancies. By Wednesday the number of people coming in to pursue their resolutions drops substantially. On Friday it is a ghost town. Fast forward to the second Monday, it is the same story. Only larger numbers because people have realized that it is the second week of 2010 and they have not yet started their resolutions.
This pattern is not that atypical. A trend can be observed in the ‘gym’ nearly every week. ‘Everyone’ starts their lifestyle change on Monday. By ‘Hump’ day they begin to fall off the wagon and as of Friday there are few still hanging on.
Towel duty in December never bothered me. It was easy for me to ‘forgive’ the occasional towel that was ‘accidentally’ left behind by people who were somewhat committed to a healthy lifestyle. Now it is different. The number of towels has increased a hundred fold. They are often still warm when I pick them up. My favorite was the extremely sweaty ‘gentleman’ who wiped his head and proceeded to hand me his towel. The ignorance of all the ‘tourists’ is hard to ignore. Not that it is excusable. But it is certainly not that difficult to place your own sweaty towel in a hamper, there are several nearby. I am promised that by March the majority will be gone. As a health and fitness professional I really would love to see everyone stick to their resolutions. I would prefer them to become part of their lifestyle. I just really wish people would’t be so ignorant in their pursuits. Until then I can’t help but hope that the “January Jerks” will leave and my faith in my career choice can be restored.
For those in pursuit of resolutions. I suggest you make SMART goals instead of resolutions. Incorporate a few healthy lifestyle modifications in each week. Make them permanent changes. Watch that you don’t cycle throughout your weeks, aim for consistency. Forgive yourself for lapses. Learn from them and move on. And lastly please be courteous in your pursuit; Please don’t be a “January Jerk”. MAKE IT a great year!