Getting healthy, in one form or another, continues to be one of America’s favorite New Year’s resolutions. But as commitments go, it is also one that gets broken often.

John West, a veteran personal trainer and co-owner of J2Fitness in Huntsville, says his gym is an example of this. In mid-January, it’s filled with people.

But by June, West said, “there’s not a soul in sight.”

A commitment to improving health, whether by exercising more or eating better, is nothing to be trifled with, according to CrossFit trainer Michelle Simpson. She owns GarageGym107 in Grant.

“It comes down to longevity and being as self-sufficient as you can as long as you can,” she said. “Regular exercise makes you a better human in general. If you feel good, you are better able to help the people around you, your kids and significant other.”

Debbie Kulmer, a personal trainer who owns Balance Personal Training in Athens, points to the multiple health benefits of regular exercise. In just a few hours per week, a person can stave off bone loss, strengthen their cardio vascular system, build balance and improve their mental health.

Simpson, now 55, said that in her early 50s she underwent her first bone density test. After 20 years of committed strength training, the mother of five was told that she had the bone density of a 35-year-old.

“That is all the confirmation I needed to know that fitness works,” she said.

Simpson recommends that those who are new to the gym or haven’t exercised in a while ease into a program that includes three days of strength training and two days of active recovery cardio.

“I retain most of my clients, because we don’t go crazy at first. It is a process,” Kulmer said.

Both trainers agree that the people who believe they are making progress are the ones who stick to their fitness goals. Both trainers gauge their clients’ progress by tracking several data points, not just weight loss.

Kulmer uses a body composition scale that measures bone, muscle and water weight.

“Often the number on the scale doesn’t change, but their body composition does,” she said.

Simpson said a lot of people who are new to exercise don’t understand the difference between fat and muscle.

“A pound of muscle takes up about one-third of the space as a pound of fat,” she explained. “So it’s not just about what the bathroom scale says, it’s about how your jeans fit and the body changes you see in the mirror.”

By Valentine’s Day, Simpson notices that her clients start getting restless.

“They’ve committed to working out five times per week and they’re following through, but they aren’t dropping as much weight as they would like to,” she said. “This is a classic example of the 80-20 ratio.”

According to Simpson, 80 percent of weight loss comes from diet, whereas only 20 percent comes from exercise.

“You can’t expect to meet your weight loss goals through exercise only,” Simpson said. “As much as we hate it, we have to start cutting calories.”

Kulmer said it’s easier than it sounds when you tackle years of built-up bad habits, one at a time.

“We do daily nutrition for two weeks that relates to a specific habit,” she said. “We don’t take anything away. We exchange it for something else.”

If a client is used to having a big gooey chocolate brownie as a bedtime snack, Kulmer suggests that they exchange it for a smaller one or a piece of their favorite fruit.

“It’s very difficult to stop. You still have those cravings and you just cut that off,” she said. “I say satisfy but minimize.”

She also encourages her clients to eat mindfully without the distractions of TV or radio.

“When your brain is not connected with action, you don’t get that feeling of satiety,” she said. “Your plate is empty before you even realize it.”

For those who are gym shy or cannot afford the cost of a membership, Kulmer said working out at home is a practical, easy option.

“If I could recommend two pieces of home fitness equipment, it would be a rowing machine and a set of dumbbells,” she said. “The rowing machine is an unsung hero that works 80 percent of the muscles.”

Countless dumbbell tutorials and routines can be accessed online.

Interested in hiring a personal trainer? Kulmer and West are currently accepting clients. Contact Kulmer at 256-777-2519 or West at 256-808-9729.

For daily fitness tips and advice, visit Simpson’s website at www.garagegym107.com or visit her Facebook page at Garagegym107.