Ryan Friddle and his brother Sean took their New Year's resolutions serious on this snowy New Year's Day.
"I think my New Year's resolution will be to be nice to my parents," said Sean Friddle. "It starts out by running in the cold and giving up my entire morning."
Hundreds of people were in Grant Park at 8 a.m. ready to run or walk a 5K. Lifetime Fitness held the event to encourage people to eat healthy, exercise and shoot for an overall more active lifestyle in 2014.
"If you can accomplish a 5K here on January first, the idea is what else can you accomplish in your life?" said Scott Hutmacher, spokesperson, Lifetime Athletic Events. "Keep moving every day; we want them to move take action, burn calories and see where it goes from there."
"I just want to be fit, and this is my first race. I am excited," said Brandon Susa, runner.
Others were trying to continue resolutions from years past.
"Five years ago now. I'll be 57 this year. I was overweight, not in good health. I decided I wanted to run a triathlon," said Terri Friel, runner.
Even if your New Year's resolution has nothing to do with exercise or weight loss, fitness experts say the strategy behind success is similar
"The grander the idea, the more of a risk it is, the more we want you to put it out there. Share it with your peer groups, share it with your families. Find friends that can hold you accountable," said Hutmacher.
And whether it's saving money, spending more time with your family or quitting smoking, it's all about one word:
"Being out here is showing total commitment. It is all about commitment - key word is commitment, and I am ready and doing it today," said runner Renita Braggs.
