Each January, thousands of Americans vow this will be the year they get fit and start living a healthier lifestyle, but, as they say, it’s easier said than done.

One of the main reasons people leave the gym in March or earlier is discouragement, said SportsFit Athens Facility Manager Phil Snyder, but starting a fitness regimen with realistic expectations and a willingness to work can mean the beginning of a better life.

Snyder has worked in the personal fitness industry since 2006. The beginning of each year is definitely a boon for gyms and trainers as the New Year’s resolutions set in.

“This is the time of the year when gyms make their money,” Snyder said.

What separates those that stay and those that leave is their expectations.

Often, a person signs up for a gym membership with a goal to lose a certain number of pounds or thinking they’ll get back into a rigorous fitness routine they used to engage in when they were younger. Then, when the weight doesn’t come off quickly enough or they cannot perform like they used to, Snyder said that’s when coaches start to see dropouts.

“Be realistic,” Snyder advised.

Instead of starting off with a number of pounds in mind, set a goal similar to “I want to go to the gym three times a week each week by June.” Then, be flexible with that goal, because life doesn’t always turn out the way we want, the coach said. This way, a person sets themselves up for success by establishing a healthy routine — and that’s not failure.

By keeping a general goal in mind, a person can more enjoy the “intangible” benefits of exercise, including an overall increase in confidence and mental well being.

“Then, all of a sudden, it’s not necessarily the goal that’s driving you, but the feeling,” Snyder said.

Above all, though, is someone looking to begin a fitness routine needs to be willing to work. Achieving the desired result is possible, but will more than likely take longer than is shown on TV or in magazines, Snyder said.

And though the odds are stacked against the average person, Snyder said the beginning of the year is a good time for experimenting with fitness programs and gyms to find the right fit for them, because of New Year’s specials on membership and gyms are already looking for new members to come in.

Snyder said there’s plenty of membership options and equipment options for anyone.

For more information on SportsFit, call 256-233-3994.