New Year’s resolutions are more noted for being broken than for the intended goal of bettering oneself.

A random survey found most people don’t even bother with making them primarily because of that.
One man who asked not to be identified illustrated the point perfectly. “Last year I resolved not to
drink too much on New Year’s Eve.”
And the result was, “I got so blitzed, I had to be helped up the stairs to get home.”
On the other side of the coin, a relatively new Bradner resident does not regularly make resolutions but
when she does, they last.
Tammy Irvin quit smoking three years ago and has held onto that. Her other major resolution has been
ongoing for five years.
“I was a cancer patient and there were so many good people who gave to me. I decided to pay it forward
and still live with that philosophy today,” Irvin said.
Dot Downing-Wuest, health educator with Wood County Hospital’s Wellness Works, said eating healthy, being
more physically active and, like Irvin, quitting tobacco use are the most popular resolutions.
She added perhaps resolutions do have some value, as government statistics show in the United States we
now have more former smokers than current smokers. “There are more than 50 million former smokers in the
country.”
Downing-Wuest said enrollment in their programs surge during the first year.
“There is always a great sign on. The new year gives people motivation and they are seeking help, so that
is good,” she said.
Julie Wray, of Bowling Green, seems to fit that category.
“I try to get rid of all the bad stuff and to get healthy,” she said. “This year I actually want to stick
with it.”
She said she has made similar resolutions each year, “They’ve never really stuck, but maybe this year.”

As for his resolutions, Jeff Thompson, Bowling Green, said, “I hate them, I used to make them, but not
any more.”
He admits it is his own lack of follow through, and said he can’t remember the last resolution which
worked for him.
Solutions for resolutions
While it is still early in the year, there are many ways one can make some improvements for 2015.
Downing-Wuest said much of the success of the reduction in tobacco use involves modern technology
“More people are succeeding now because there are so many types of pharmaceutical therapies,
(prescription drugs, the patch, etc.). There are different things to help them. There are also certified
tobacco treatment specialists. It makes it so much easier for people to quit.”
Larry Harris, a licensed professional clinical counselor, with Harris Assessments, offers hypnotherapy
sessions for painless weight loss and immediate smoking cessation.
“Those are the two major resolutions,” Harris said. “People are looking to break bad habits. I get pretty
busy after the first of the year.”
This week he said he received a call from a woman who has not smoked in seven years following her
hypnosis, but now she has put on weight. Her new resolution is to lose weight and she has booked a
session for that goal.
“In the first week after the new year people call to help with their resolutions they know they aren’t
going to keep,” Harris said.
Aside from such treatment, many self-helpers look to join a gym or fitness center.
Shane St. Julian, general manager of St. Julian’s Fitness, said, “We do get a rush after the new year.”

As the year progresses, many of the new and established members start spending less time working out.
That is not good for the people nor his business.
“We’d like to see people more often,” St. Julian said.
He said each year differs, but he estimates a five-to-10-percent increase at the beginning of the year.
“It is by far our biggest boost.”
Tamara Willingham, a diplomat of Oriental medicine who operates Tamara TCM Acupuncture and Herbs in
Perrysburg, indicated they have seen an increase in people seeking weight loss help and expressing an
intent to feel better.
She likes the idea of resolutions, saying, “If you don’t make a plan you can never improve yourself. Even
if you fail, never stop trying. Failure would be better than not trying.”