Australians who are holding onto their new year's resolutions can celebrate lasting longer than half of the country according to new research.
The survey of over 1,000 people by the number one global nutrition and food tracking app, MyFitnessPal reveals that the 16th is the day by which most (51%) Australians report they will have given up on their new year's resolutions. Additionally almost all (96%) will have given up by the end of the month.
The majority (65%) of Australians started 2023 on a healthier note, including exercising to lose weight (50%), eating more healthily (41%) and exercising to lose fat and gain muscle (22%). However, with over two thirds (69%) of people saying they have made an ambitious fitness goal only to give up straight away, it may be ambition that trips people up.
"It's time to change the way we think about new year's resolutions," says dietitian Susie Burrell who also holds a Master's of Coaching Psychology. "Lofty, unattainable goals only set people up for failure, while focusing on habits provides an opportunity for sustainable personal growth."
Losing motivation (47%), intense cravings (35%) and boredom (25%) were most likely to put an end to Aussies new year's resolutions. Meanwhile pizza (39%), cheeseburgers with chips (37%) and ice cream (31%) were most likely to tempt dieters away from their 2023 goals.
Friends and family also got a share of the blame, with almost a third (29%) saying they couldn't turn down dessert at a friend's place, a quarter (24%) feeling pressured into drinking at a party and almost one in five (17%) eating icing or batter when baking a birthday cake for a loved one.
MyFitnesspal is launching its Jumpstart Your Health programme which will coach users through the first 14 days of the year. The program, which can be started anytime throughout the year, offers access to the app's supportive, 200 million strong community, to help users reach their health goals.
