Struggling through that New Year’s resolution to get off the couch and get active?

With the start of the new year, health institutions like the Niles-Buchanan YMCA often report an increase in visitors and eager exercisers hitting the gym to get healthy and get some exercise.

As the weeks and months continue, however, following though on that personal promise can pose quite a challenge.

Several programs are designed to keep more men and women in step with their personal goals and on the right track to getting in shape.

At the YMCA, the new year marks the start of the organization’s annual weight-loss challenge.

“The Niles-Buchanan weight-loss challenge is a fun and competitive way to improve health and lose weight,” said the YMCA’s Amy McKean. “It is a great way for members to try new things and meet new people. Hopefully, their end result is to achieve personal fitness goals and have fun doing.”

Sign up for the weight-loss challenge ends Jan. 31.

“This is the highest-attending incentive program we have,” McKean said. “Usually a few hundred members sign up.”

The momentum gained by joining others in a similar goal, to lose weight and gain a healthy new lifestyle can be enhanced by other elements of the program and through services at the YMCA.

“We offer free consultations with one of our personal trainers, weekly weigh-ins, keeping records of their exercise, nutrition logs, special monthly challenges and great prizes at the end,” McKean said.

Beth Teske of Niles won the challenge last year, the grand prize being a new television.

A mother of two daughters who are also collegiate athletes, Teske said at the time that she looked at her children and her husband, all in good physical health, and thought to herself, “I just felt there was no reason why at 43 (years old) I couldn’t be.”

Through the challenge she lost nearly 70 pounds.

“We begin this challenge after the new year because that is when most people are excited about losing weight,” McKean said. “I purposely run this challenge for four months. I do this because usually people are on that first of the year weight-loss high, then about February they lose interest. That is when people have to keep pushing themselves and retain results. Weight loss doesn’t just happen in a month — it is a slow process over time.”

Need another incentive? FLIP out

Lakeland HealthCare administers its Fitness and Lifestyle Improvement Plan (FLIP), an eight-week comprehensive program, at the YMCA as well. Classes already started for the program Tuesday.

But those who are currently trying to fit into a fitness regiment can prepare for the next round of classes in March to carry them through what can be considered a tough stretch in sticking to their goal.

Lakeland’s Pamela Kurtz leads the program.

“It is an eight-week program that focuses on the three components of weight-loss and healthy living. They are exercise, nutrition and behavior change,” Kurtz said. “The program provides you with your personal registered dietitian, who teaches the one-hour class each week. All aspects of nutrition/healthy eating are covered and the majority of the class gives hands-on strategies to help change behavior. Participants also have an athletic trainer who provides a personal program for them and also monitors body fat, inches lost, blood pressure and modifies the program as the participant progresses.”

The program costs $250 to join and the YMCA provides a two-month membership during the course.

“Probably the most important benefit is the accountability gained in the program,” Kurtz said. “Participants set goals each week and share ideas and strategies during the class. Following the eight weeks, there is a complimentary support group for life. FLIP graduates meet monthly to support each other and for accountability.”

For those needing advice on how to keep motivated in keeping fit, Kurtz said it’s important to incorporate healthy changes into the day-to-day routine, replacing old, unhealthy habits.

“We focus a lot on behavior change,” she said.

For more information on the weight-loss challenge or to sign up, contact the Niles-Buchanan YMCA at 683-1552. For more information on FLIP, contact Lakeland HealthCare at (877) 467-3858.