Businesses see influx of customers working on New Year's resolutions

LETHBRIDGE — Marketing research company Sago estimates about 43 per cent of Canadians will make a New Year's resolution.

Exercising and eating better are among the most popular habit changes.

And that means gyms like Cut Fitness usually see an increase in new members in early January.

"We've been in business since 2021. And every January we usually see a little bit of an uptick in memberships. People coming in with New Year's resolutions and health and fitness obviously at the forefront," said Vince Vanden Dungen, owner of Cut Fitness.

Many people are also making financial resolutions this year.

Coming off the typically expensive Christmas season, money is top of mind for many.

"We often get people sort of sniffing around that time of year. We are always bringing on new clients, it seems. The first couple of months of the year. But of course, all our existing clients as well want to go through and just have that sort of annual checkup," said Darcy Bell with IG Wealth Management.

Making a resolution is one thing; keeping it can be much harder.

But many businesses out there are ready to help clients achieve their goals.

"I think the main thing is getting yourself in these good habits and knowing that, you know, not only are we getting started, but we're continuing on with these good habits," Bell said.

One of the more common pieces of advice to stay on track with your goals is to be consistent.

Doing it in small, regular doses can be more beneficial than the "all or nothing" approach.

"Consistency is the key. You know, trying to make this a priority, coming in three days a week, even if it's 20 minutes just to get some cardio equipment. ... Just being in the environment, everyone feeds off each other,” Vanden Dungen said.