Feb. 16, 1998 Contact Ross West (541) 346-2060 Editor's Note: The best time to reach Dr. Whaley is between 12:30 and 3 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 16. "New Year's resolutions to diet and exercise make January and February a crowded time at gyms and health clubs," says University of Oregon sports psychologist Diane Whaley, "but as memories of New Year's parties fade, so do many commitments to a healthier lifestyle." Whaley explains that about half of all diet-and-exercisers poop out before six months of effort because they underestimate the amount of time and effort required to achieve their resolution and overestimate the outcome they will receive. "We look for quick fixes; that is, we want to join a club, lose weight, get definition in our arms and we want to do it quickly and conveniently. It doesn't happen that easily," Whaley says. "What does work is to make exercise a priority, to figure out when you can exercise and build the rest of your day around this. Also, it is better to achieve small steps than fail at grandiose plans," she says, "It is better for a person's health to walk the dog regularly three times per week than it is to dream of running a 10K, work on it for a few weeks, then quit." SOURCE: Diane Whaley, assistant professor of exercise and movement science, (541) 346-4108. #T-7328/Daybook