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By Ayanna Eckblad

As 2023 closes out and 2024 begins on Monday, many people will be making resolutions. Statistically, most of these resolutions will involve making some kind of improvement to a person’s physical and emotional health.

In fact, a Forbes Health/OnePoll survey states that improved fitness was the most popular resolution at 48%. A similar goal, improved diet, came out at 32% and weight loss was 34%.

Jerret Utpadel is the new health and wellness coordinator at Albert Lea’s YMCA. He is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist. He explained a few of the factors that lead people to start a diet or fitness-based resolution before stopping soon after.

“Being disciplined,” said Utpadel, stating one of the major factors that make goals difficult to stick to. “You’re sacrificing what you want right now for what you really want later … instead of watching TV tonight, it’s getting a quick walk in.”

Another issue many people have is beginning with goals that are too large in scale. Utpadel listed a few “micro-habits” that can make a big impact on a person’s health in the long run. Some of these include getting a full eight hours of sleep every night and being more conscious of eating habits.

According to Utpadel, people looking to improve their health should eat more natural foods. With a few exceptions, “you should be able to comprehend each ingredient that is in your food, and if you can’t, you probably shouldn’t be eating it,” he said.

Another micro-habit he wants to instill in clients is to be aware and intentional about how they spend their time.

“Wanting to [get healthy] is the first step,” Utpadel said. He also said that it is the most important step. Once you have determined that you want to improve your health, Utpadel suggests that people “gamify” exercising.

“Finding a little group, a niche of people that also have these interests as you makes the whole process of it so much better,” he said.

With base membership, the Albert Lea YMCA offers personal training on a one-on-one and group basis as well as fitness classes. Child care is available while parents use Y facilities to work out. Using the Y facilities and taking classes are available to nonmembers as well for a small fee.

In 2024, the Albert Lea YMCA is getting ready for some changes of their own.

“We’re even trying to do more, we’re trying to grow everything,” Utpadel said.

He and other staff are taking a look at current programs and seeing where they can be improved to better help the community. Utpadel said that they are working to provide more targetable metrics to measure and track the progress for each client as well as providing improved nutritional advice.

In January, they will begin providing free health assessments for new clients. This will involve taking note of health history and goals and starting clients with a diet log and an activity log.

Utpadel also said that the YMCA will be running functional mobility classes with Arcadian Bank in the near future. He hopes that these classes will spread to as many local businesses as possible as well as being offered at the YMCA.