Now that 2016 has finally come to an end, it’s time for a new and healthier beginning. People from all over America look forward to creating a New Year’s resolution by setting a yearlong goal to better themselves in some way.

A number of those people who create a resolution often end up losing focus on their goal at some point and decide to leave it for next year. Yet, there are still people who are able to keep up with what they planned for themselves and ring in the new year on a successful and positive note. Whether it’s studying more effectively, eating more fruits and vegetables or getting more sleep, keeping focus on how to achieve that goal is the key to success.

As a gym teacher, a majority of the time is spent teaching students about the importance of fitness and fitness-related activities. Being a high school athlete also, [Wieda] definitely has a head start in finding her love for fitness. JV cheer coach and gym teacher Julia Wieda sometimes decides to sometimes workout with her gym classes, along with attending CrossFit classes every day.

“It’s definitely a huge part of my everyday life,” Wieda said. “Because I did cheer throughout high school and up until my last year of college, fitness has always been very important to me.”

Wieda is interested in all things fitness, which continues to make a huge impact on her life. Creating and following a healthy lifestyle is ideal for the job she chose to do. Setting reachable goals and guidelines to becoming a healthier person is something Wieda speaks highly of.

“Over the course of turning into the new year, I’m focusing more on making sure that I am going to the gym everyday and eating healthy,” Wieda said. “Don’t push it back, because everyone has to start somewhere.”

As an athlete, a sport can sometimes force a healthier lifestyle on those who are involved. Being a healthier person overall can help aid the process of becoming a successful athlete. Knowing that there are two full sports seasons to get through before his season begins, sophomore baseball player Dimitri Karellas and other spring sport athletes may be tempted to fall into a non-active lifestyle, which can really be damaging for the players when the time comes. However, setting a year long goal is what some athletes do to keep themselves on track.

“My resolution for this year is definitely trying to get better at sports, although I’m not a big fan of working out,” Karellas said. “I know it will pay off in the end. When it’s the off season, you’ll want to take a break, but I just try and tell myself not to get outworked and to always be a step ahead.”

Athletes and gym teachers are not the only one’s who are able to keep up with their New Year’s resolutions. Choir director Michael Hickey decided to go along with setting one for himself.

“My weight gain in high school was the reason I started working out,” Hickey said. “As bad a reason as that is, I attribute my interest in fitness to my lack of fitness in my early high school years. Everyone’s body is different, so it is important to notice the changes, no matter how small. Give yourself some credit and don’t give up on your overall goals, no matter how long they take.”

After going through some trouble with being able to commit to working out, Hickey understands the importance of fitness and what it can do for a person.

Keeping up with a New Year’s resolution can be a challenge for some people to commit to, but it’s definitely possible. Even if it’s an everyday goal, or just a simple promise, working out can do much more than create a better person.