Kind of slow for the new year, isn't it?

[Lyn2007]

Usually this place is crazy with new people and loads of posts during January. Is it just me or is it unusually slow around here for the first week of January? Maybe weight loss is not on people's agenda as much as it used to be.

[mandalinn82]

I also noticed this, and wondered if people might be focusing more on economic concerns this year. I hope it picks up - I love the infusion of new energy that comes every January (the infusion of spam is still on track...don't love that so much!)

[Blueberries]

I was wondering that, also. Even my gym, while definitely busier than usual, hasn't been January-crazy this week.

[MonicaM]

I have been lurking, after going way, way off the eating and drinking wagon, and I posted for the first time in quite some time yesterday. I have noticed that the YMCA I belong to has not gotten the huge number of new members as it usually does. For the first time since I have belonged they are holding a second Open House in January.

I don't know what is up.

[Telorida]

I think the theory that maybe people are making financial-related resolutions this year might be a good one. I follow a lot of personal finance blogs and they are BOOMING with comments and activity.

[Arctic Mama]

Yes, I hope this means people are controlling their personal debt instead of adding a gym membership to it, honestly! Those seekers who want to manage their weight will find their way to us, I've no doubt!

[Lyn2007]

Good point. I wondered if the economy is more of a priority for many. I miss the energy from the new people though

[MariaMaria]

Yeah, I noticed it, too.

Makes sense that this is a money resolution year.

[Underwater]

I know that I was unemployed at this time last year and the last thing I wanted to think about was my weight with so many more pressing concerns.

[runningfromfat]

Yep, makes total sense. As a family we're working on both weight (well, still, definitely didn't start this year!) and financial things for the next year. I imagine many are in the same boat as us.

I did see a post recently about losing on a budget so maybe we'll get more like that soon.

[duckyyellowfeet]

I was moderately surprised as well. I was here for the switch from 2009 to 2010 and was floored by how many people joined. As a January re-joiner, I was expecting loads of people to flood the boards.

I will also say that I've noticed fewer weight loss, gym, "GET IN SHAPE NOW!" ads on TV as well.

[DrivenByAmbition]

I bet it is too hard economically for a lifestyle change as others have stated.

[linJber]

I wondered at the slow-down around Thanksgiving and chalked it up to everyone being holiday busy. It was absolutely dead by mid-December. Even people who started challenges didn't post in their own threads. I only joined here last May so I have nothing to compare this January to.

However, I am a bit confused at the idea of financial matters not fitting in with weight loss. I don't think I spent any more to eat in 2011 than I did in the past. In fact, I know I spent less because I almost never bought junk and didn't stop for fast food. I didn't buy a single bag of chips last year and very few snacks and almost no candy. I can count on one hand the number of times I went to a place like McDonald's or Wendy's. I bought fruit veggies in season and in the winter watched for what was on special. I'm sure I bought only about 60% - 70% as much meat as in the past, which is a huge money saver. Healthy food can be expensive, but so is junk food. I don't buy the argument that it costs more overall to eat a healthy diet. Pasta, rice, and potatoes are cheap - yes. But junk food and fast food, ounce per ounce, are more expensive than lean cuts of meat and fish. It's a matter of money priority, I think, but you can lose weight on a budget.

I am also very fortunate to have many gym membership choices at incredibly reasonable prices. My little local gym is only $20 a month. "Best Fitness" is also only $20. "Planet Fitness" is just $10. "Snap Fitness" is $30. "Curves" is about $35. Memberships at the Y are about $35.00 based on a $30,000 annual income. We also have a couple fitness centers attached to 2 local medical centers. Memberships there are up to $60.00 a month. All in all, here where I live, there is no reason not to join somewhere if you really want to join a gym. Cut a couple bags of chips, soda, and bags of cookies from your monthly food budget and you have it covered. We can justify almost anything that we want to buy. Health should be at the top of our list.

If you are on an incredibly tight budget, though, I guess gym membership really is a luxury. But so are smart phones, high speed (higher cost) internet, premium cable (even basic cable, I guess!) and lots of other things we put before our health.

My biggest expense in 2011 was clothes! I had to buy everything new except socks. Even some of my shoes had to be replaced because the old ones were too big. I took my jeans and winter slacks in 2 times last winter and had to buy new ones in the spring. I only bought 1 pair of jeans at a time. I took a leap of faith last January and bought clearanced items that were several sizes smaller than I wore at the time. Things that were not so carefully fitted as you'd like pants to be. I judged from past experience what might fit this winter if I reached my goal and bought sweaters for $3 and $4 each last January. Same with a couple fleece jackets and vests and hooded sweaters. Pants were from thrift stores until I settled in at a size 10 - 12 in October. I waited until November to look for a nice winter coat (and found the exact one I wanted for less than $50 at a discount store - Liz Claiborne - probably last year's design.) It killed me to have to buy new underwear every couple months because it's the one thing I don't feel you can pass on to anyone, so it seemed like such a waste.

I hope anyone reading this thread realizes that they can jump in and start the year off with great intentions. I know my membership in here helped me through many rough spots last year and I'm relying on 3fc to keep me on plan with maintenance now.

I appreciate the support and friendship of all you "chicks" and hope 2012 is great for all of us. And I hope many new and renewed members benefit the way I did.

Lin

[mandalinn82]

I think it's more an issue of time than of cost, as well as the brain only being able to tackle so many problems at one time. If you're worried about keeping yourself afloat and maybe looking for additional work or spending more time figuring out your budget, taking on the additional stress of weight loss would be a lot to add on top.

Plus, I've always noticed that the New Years joiners tend to be on more commercial, higher cost programs (not always, but a lot of the time). The type of person who joins 3FC in January tends to be a person who is spending money on a weight loss program, in my experience. It's not a universal rule by any means, but it is a trend.

[cherrypie]

I thought there was a massive increase in introduction threads this past week