Maricopans share New Year’s resolutions (VIDEO)

For as long as there’s been a calendar, people have been making New Year’s resolutions.

Robert Turner said he wants to continue what he started last year.

Turner is a finish trainer at Planet Fitness in Maricopa. Part of his job is to inspire those coming in to work out. He also instructs people on how to properly use equipment, runs classes and keeps people inspired.

“I don’t have any goals. It’s more like I’m trying to change my lifestyle. My lifestyle has been a little off before I started working here at Planet Fitness,” Turner said.

Turner said he now works out all the time and focuses on his diet.

“I want to get an apartment this year,” the 22-year-old said. “So, I can move out of my parents’ house. I just got my brand-new car like a week ago.”

Turner said he’s seen a small up-tick in people coming into Planet Fitness to discuss new memberships this week.

“They don’t say directly ‘New Year’s resolutions.’ They just say they want to lose weight for the new year and they want to get in shape. We have had people come in and ask about memberships, but it hasn’t been a spurt of a whole bunch of people,” he said.

While Turner is only 22, he offers some sound advice to those trying to make and keep resolutions.

“Make it a lifestyle instead of a goal,” he said. “You can reach a goal and then forget about it. If you make it a lifestyle, it becomes a part of you. It is a lot harder to lose the tradition of it. It is something that is natural. It’s not like, ‘oh, I achieved this and I’m done.’ I do this every day because it is a part of me.”

Denord Terry said he plans to “do better” this year.

“This past year has been kind of rough for everyone,” Terry said. “My idea is to just do better. Better income, better life, be better people in general – just do better. I want to be better to people and have people be better to me. Each one – teach one. If I’m giving you respect, then I’ll get it back.”

He said he’s made resolutions in the past and many “fell by the wayside.”

“Life gets in the way. Everybody is so busy now – you have to work and take care of bills. We’re all just busy bees and we tend to lose our resolutions in life,” Terry said.

Margaret Brannen had a different approach as she said, “I never make any resolutions because I never keep them. There’s nothing important enough to me. I’m just past all that. I just want to go on and enjoy the life I’ve got left.”

Essence Long said she doesn’t really have any resolutions this year, either.

“I just want to be a better person, have a good time and live my life,” she said.

Madison Creamer said her resolution is a little more traditional.

“I just want to get into shape. Everyone tries to say that, and they do it for like a month and quit. I’m going to try and do it,” Creamer said.

Meech Johnson was walking out of a Maricopa business on her mission to start 2019 by fulfilling one of her resolutions.

“I’m kind of just working on myself – mentally more than physically,” Johnson said. “I was in there just trying to get a job. I’m trying to be respectful to myself and forgive everybody who I haven’t forgiven to better myself. I am going to school for cosmetology right now. In August, I’ll be going to GCU (Grand Canyon University) for sports medicine and minoring in dance.”