Dear New Year's Resolution Gym Member...

I see you.

On the treadmill/elliptical/bike.  Trying to figure out how to make the thing move.  Quickly.  Because the longer you don't move, the more you feel like people are staring.  

Some may.  Most won't.  They're just as worried about people staring at them as you are.

I see you.

Not sure why you've come this year.  Maybe it's not your first New Year's Gym Resolution.  Maybe you've been paying for an unused membership for a year.  Or three.  Maybe this is your first year.  The first gym, even.  The first time attempting whatever this exercise thing is.  

I see you.

And here's what you need to know.

We have all been there.

You may look around and think everyone else has it together.  Feel like the only person who's new.  The standout in your new or in your old workout gear.  Like a spotlight's shining down on you while others seem to effortlessly navigate the weird weight machines.  

But really, we were all new at some point.  

And our reasons for being new then are likely some of your reasons for being new now.

Some wanted to lose weight.  Most, probably.  Real life isn't doesn't resemble reality tv.  So the weight?  Not gonna melt off 10 pounds a week.  The ones who stick it out learn losing weight is slow and keep at it for the longterm.  

Some came because of a health scare or a fear of a health scare.  Either their own or someone they know.  Or maybe even love.  So they exercise to get healthy.  The ones who stick it out grow to realize exercising alone doesn't equal healthy.

Some think getting in shape will help them find a mate/fit into their high school reunion dress/make an ex regret dissing them.  Those things might happen.  Maybe not.  The ones who stick to it quickly figure out doing this work for someone or something is not enough of a reason.  

And still some come for all of those reasons.  

I see you.

You know the statistics.  Something around 80% of New Year's Resolution Gym Goers stop attending by mid-February.  That leaves those "Stickers" I mentioned.  20 sad percent.

You've also heard all about the habit stuff.  Takes 30 days to form a habit.  Or six weeks to break a habit.  Or 2,461 years to give up desserts forever and ever, amen.  

I see you.

And the jokes about being new at gyms haven't escaped you either.  The memes with Mel Gibson in blue face paint yelling, "Brace Yourselves! New Year's Gym Members Are Coming!"

Okay, so maybe not Mel Gibson but you get the point.

You think the old gym members, the regulars, the ones you are determined to become, have all been discussing your arrival for weeks.  Joking.  Laughing.  High five-ing each other.  Because they believe you will come...

...but you won't stay.

I see you.

And I want you to stay.

I want you to stay and stay longer than whatever reason brought you through those doors today.  

Exercise is hard.  Pursuit of healthy is hard.  Time commitment is hard.  

But anything worth doing is hard.  

And I know you already do hard things.  

You already work.  You already mother.  You already love.  You already cook/clean/sweep up after a toddler.  You already care for your aging parents.  You already sat with your best friend through her divorce.  Or survived your own.  You already sit up worrying about/praying for your teenager.  You already walked your daughter down the aisle.  Or you watched your son as his bride met him at the alter.  You already fought cancer.  Or helped your sister through her fight.  

You already do hard things.

This is simply another hard thing.

I see you.

Stick with it.  Be the 20%.  Don't bury your head in the treadmill too long.  Look up.  Let others see the hard on your face.  On your new/old workout gear.  Just keep at it.  

Because, from someone who once was new, it's worth it.  The hard stuff.  It's worth it.

You are worth it.  

I see you.  You're not sure it's worth it.  Maybe not even sure you're worth it.  But you are.  And if you look up, look around and see me there, please know, I know you are worth it.  

And I'm pulling for you.