Hundreds of Nova Scotians Aim to Keep Their "Get Fit" Resolution

We all make ‘em, but success at keeping our New Year’s resolutions sometimes requires a little help, especially when it comes to getting in shape. A fitness fundraiser set for the end of January will help hundreds of Nova Scotians resolving to tone up and shed a few pounds to stay motivated through that all important first month of their commitment. In doing so, they’ll also be starting 2010 by rewarding themselves with the wonderful feeling that comes from giving back to their community in a big way.

“It’s a golden opportunity for all of us who’ve made New Year’s resolutions,” said Tracy Cipryk, a certified fitness instructor who will be leading two of the six exercise hours at Bust a Move. “Get yourself on the road to better health, fight back against a disease that impacts one out of every nine Nova Scotia women, and experience the enthusiasm of the one and only Richard Simmons.”

Bust a Move for Breast Health, a six-hour fitness event organized by the IWK Foundation and the QEII Foundation together, is designed for all activity levels and will hit the Halifax Metro Centre on Saturday, January 30th. Every dollar raised by participants will go toward the acquisition of new digital mammography equipment that will allow more than 3,700 more women to be screened each year. Organizers have a fun, memorable fitness extravaganza in store, featuring prizes, live music and a variety of exercises that will suit any fitness level. Even Hollywood fitness guru Richard Simmons is set to make an appearance and lead participants in the first-ever Nova Scotia performance of his ‘Sweatin’ to the Oldies’ routine.

The tradition of setting a New Year’s resolution is over two millennia old, dating back to when Rome’s mythical king Janus was placed at the beginning of the calendar, but recent research indicates our ability to keep the resolutions we set for ourselves hasn’t improved since ancient times. A Quirkology study in 2007 revealed that while 52 per cent of respondents set themselves a resolution January 1, only 12 per cent manage to keep it. Bust a Move can help those with fitness resolutions meet their goals.

“There’s still time to register,” said the volunteer event chair, Marie Mullally. “Shake off those post-holiday blues, make a big impact in the lives of Nova Scotia women and their families, and have a terrific time in the process.”

She encourages those interested to visit the event’s website and sign up, either as an individual or as part of a team. “Start the year off right by kick-starting your ‘get fit’ resolution and busting a move on January 30th.”