What resolutions are local residents planning to stick to this year? Losing weight and staying in shape top the list, but an unofficial survey also shows many resolving to give back to the community. Here are some of their goals, and a few notes on where and how they can be met in the Mission.
Getting in Shape for Good
Many people waking up from their holiday food comas plan to get – and stay – in shape. While losing weight is often a motivation, making lasting lifestyle changes is important for many entering 2016.
“Last year, I nurtured my mental and spiritual health,” said Megan Henry, a sales representative at Therapy, a retailer at 545 Valencia St. “Now, I want to focus on my physical well-being.”
From dance studios to Crossfit boxes and traditional machine gyms, a string of fitness studios in the neighborhood present Henry and others committed to prioritizing their health this year with an array of specialized workout options. The trick to sticking out the “get fit” resolution in the long term, however, is to have a plan detailing how individual fitness goals will be accomplished, prior to stepping into a gym, said Fitness instructor Will Sandoval.
Sandoval, who runs the Live Fit Gym at 675 Valencia St., said that while he usually sees a spike in memberships in January, he estimates that 80 percent of new members will abandon their fitness resolution in the next month or two.
“The people who succeed are the ones who come in with a plan, who know what they want and realistically can commit to,” he said. “A lifestyle change rarely happens overnight.”
Henry does not plan on joining a gym. Instead, she plans to stay motivated with a weekly Skype session with her best friend and a “health nut.” In addition, Henry will turn to to the web for instructions on how to prepare healthy, weekly meals.
Henry believes that even small changes in her daily routine will translate into a healthier, happier life.
“If I choose to eat out on my lunch break, I will go to restaurants that serve more organic food,” she said. Foregoing an adjacent pizza parlor, Henry said she will be conscious of opting for healthier options during her lunch breaks, like Little Chihuahua at 581 Valencia St., which she said serves “more quality food options” than other restaurants in the area, or by trekking over to Bi-Rite Market on 18th Street for locally sourced groceries. “Walking to restaurants and grocers further away from work will also fulfill my resolution to get more exercise this year. ”
Mission Resident Chris Redd said that he will use the Mission’s hills and parks to achieve his goal of losing weight. “I don’t need a gym, there are so many hills in the Mission. I can start exercising by running around my block. I’ll also jog at Dolores Park and up to Bernal Hill.”
Hoping to achieve permanent results, Stephanie Lee believes that a simple switch in her mode of transportation will help improve her life and community.
“My goal in the New Year is to drive less,” said Lee, who also lives in the Mission. “I will be riding my bike for the environment, my health, and to ease my life.”
To facilitate the switch from car to bicycle, Craig Brown, retail manager at Mission Bicycle at 766 Valencia St., advises commuters to consider storage space for their bikes.
“Bicycles should not live outside in San Francisco, but we are often crammed into small apartments where space is a problem,” said Brown, adding that indoor bike racks can be purchased to ensure that new cyclists stick with their resolutions.
“It’s great to have more bikes on the streets, but like anything, it’s more difficult jumping into a lifestyle change without being prepared for it,” he said.
Lending a Helping Hand
Many Mission residents said they want to give back to their community this year.
“One thing that I want to do in the New Year is sponsor a Syrian refugee,” said Andrew Hwang, a legal aid lawyer who works in tenants rights. Hwang, who is from Canada, said private groups can sponsor refugees through an immigration program. “The tone here in the U.S. regarding immigration is pretty poisonous, and I think helping somebody build a new life is the humanitarian thing to do.”
While philanthropy comes in many forms, a simple and effective way to get started is through volunteering.
“We should extend our words, time and money to help those in need every day of the year, to everyone, without exceptions,” said Lori St. John, a longtime Mission resident. “Doing this every day could help restore some of our humanity.”
Knocking on the doors of the numerous community-serving nonprofits that operate out of the Mission can help point residents to areas and institutions where help is needed the most.
“For us to continue the work that we do, it is important that the community steps up,” said Barbara Walden, executive assistant at the Mission Neighborhood Centers at 362 Capp St. “I think any Mission nonprofit would be more than happy to accept extra help.”
The center provides low-income seniors, youth, and families with community-based services, and Walden said that they are currently working on building a volunteer network through a new application portal that will make it easier for volunteers to join the organization.
“I think any Mission nonprofit would be more than happy to accept extra help,” said Walden.
At San Francisco Women Against Rape, a rape crisis agency housed in the Women’s Building at 3543 18th St., volunteers may also receive training to become certified counselors. The organization will host training seminars in March and April for prospective volunteers – an online application must be completed by January 29.
“Because we serve members from our community, it’s so important to have local folks fill these volunteer positions,” said Kristin Lee, adding that the organization welcomes all the help it can get. “It can be difficult for victims of sexual assault to talk about their lives to someone who doesn’t know what life in this community is like. This is such a vital service.”