It’s a cultural phenomenon. As soon as the ball drops in New York City and the clock hits 12, the New Year resolutions began.

For Imai Anabayan, senior, this means a never-ending cycle of running and weights.

So far, he has gone to the gym every day since the first, to fulfill his goals of building muscle tone before matriculating to college next year.

“I’m really working on my core,” Anabayan said.” I do exercises for that every day. But also just the arms and legs are really important.”

With the advent of the new year, students all around MHS are carving out hours of their day for time at the gym.

Similar to Anabayan, Caroline Grosman, sophomore, has also made it her New Year’s resolution to maintain a healthy living style.

“it’s to work out but not have any body goal in mind, just to feel good,” Grosman said.

During finals week, Grosman used exercise to help keep her stress levels low and her productivity levels high and hopes to continue working out in the New Year.

“When I’m really frustrated or upset I will go workout,” Grosman said. “It clears my mind and I feel more productive.”

Lisa Marucci, Director of Marketing and Communications at the St. Louis Jewish Community Center, said the New Year often provides people with a motive to start their athletic processes.

“That turn of the calendar provides that extra burst of motivation a lot of people need to go to the gym for the first time or pick up where they left off,” Marucci said.

But Marucci said when students taper off in their weight training efforts towards the middle of the year, their previous work means less.

“The number one thing to keep in mind is your health,” Marucci said. “When you start working out, you need to be playing the long game and not the short game.”

But Marucci said the gym provides certain incentives which force its users to continue in their goals.

“Once a person becomes a part of that group, they make friends with people,” Marucci said. “You’re rooting for everybody else they are rooting for you, that helps you on mornings when you don’t want to get up and go.”

Shane Matzen, Director of Student Activities, echoed Marucci’s sentiments. Matzen said the feasibility of setting goals depends on the person who puts them in place.

‘I would put setting goals right up there with the word ‘potential,’ Matzen said. “It’s something that you visit once. If i keep coming back and saying I have a lot of potential but I don’t reach my goals, the potential didn’t do me any good.”

Matzen said students who struggle to reach their goals need only adopt a new mindset.

“It just has to be a nose to the grindstone, I’m just gonna get it done,” Matzen said.

Anna Warren, Sophomore, ran over the summer last year and significantly boosted her 5k time. Warren finished sectionals with a 19:57 5k, qualifying her for State.

Warren says people need to make sure that they don’t burn themselves out so that they can keep enjoying it.

“I wouldn’t recommend doing my exact training regiment. I think you really have to enjoy it to do it regularly.” Warren said.

Warren also believes that having a friend or a team to back you up is key.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do what I do if it weren’t for my friends,” Warren said.

Overall, Warren says that staying fit, particularly through running, has helped her a lot and that she has no regrets.

“I feel stronger in general, I like to eat more and I just think I’m healthier,” Warren said.