New Year's resolutions tend to fall into the "new year, new me" category. Everyone wants to just forget about the past year and move onto the best person they can be phase. This mentality is good at motivating an individual to try their hardest, but when they start to struggle or lose that motivation, the initial goal to be a "new person" is suddenly unobtainable. A person feels defeated, and will resort back to what they feel comfortable, falling back into the old habits they originally wanted to change.

The biggest New Year's resolution is losing weight or becoming a healthier version of themselves. The gyms in the area start their promotional sales as they try to attract all the eager health fanatics to come to their gyms, and the regulars feel as though they are being invaded by the newcomers. This superior attitude is something that our society needs to change right now.

A gym is a sanctuary for anyone who walks into it. Whether they are there to lose weight, tone their body, build muscle, or just have fun, everyone has a right to be in this sanctuary. Just because you have gone their everyday for five years does not make you better than the person who is visiting for the first time, it just makes you a better version of yourself for the past five years. Your physical appearance does not give you precedence over people who may not look like you, and that is that.

I am a collegiate athlete, standing at 5'7" and 142 pounds. I am very skinny, a trait I inherited from my mother. When I go to the gym at home, I feel like a stranger amongst the regulars and some of them make me feel that way. The glares and the mumbles do not bring a welcoming environment, and that makes me feel uncomfortable. Now, that won't scare me away from coming back because I care about my own health and well being, and to take care of myself I go to the gym. What you have done is create a negative tone for the place that you call "home", and an unwelcoming place brings unwelcoming people. So if that is the kind of sanctuary you want to create, please continue your immature actions.

As for those who treat their fellow gym rats with respect, I tip my hat to you. I absolutely love running on the treadmill on the second floor and being able to see all the different types of people working out. I have a soft spot for the elderly, but overall I am almost beaming with pride for all those who stand before me. Individuals from all walks of life, from different builds, ages, races, and social statuses, meet under one roof to achieve one goal: good health. There is something about watching someone's journey, whether it is just the one day or if you see them multiple days a week, that is motivating and beautiful and you should feel honored to be in their presence.

So to all the gym rats, smile at the person that has been on your machine for twenty minutes because it probably took them even longer to motivate themselves to be there. Open your heart and your arms to all those with the New Years resolution of good health. Take time out of your workout to help another person if they are doing something wrong or need a spotter, because at one time in your life, you were in their shoes. To all the newcomers, we welcome you. Smile through the pain of the journey because what you are doing is amazing. Open your heart to the gym, and the gym will give you the love that you deserve. Take the advice from the regulars, and be open to their suggestions and concerns because they only want to help.

So let's make a pact, to love and accept everyone who is looking for a healthy version of themselves no matter where their journey starts. Smile at those around you and make those who are struggling feel supported this coming year. When it comes down to it, the gym is a family and family sticks together through thick and thin. Be kind, be loving, be strong, and become a better you.