Lasting healthy resolutions 'unlikely'

29 Dec 2008, 12:13 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Researchers have found people are unlikely to keep healthy New Years' resolutions (AAP)

Researchers have found people are unlikely to keep healthy New Years' resolutions (AAP)

Australians put a healthier lifestyle and a trimmer figure at the top of their New Year wish list - but most will fail to achieve their goals, a study found.

Australians have put a healthier lifestyle and a trimmer figure at the top of their New Year wish list - but most will fail to achieve their goals, a study has found.

An independent survey of 1,000 Australians, commissioned by the organisers of the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games, has found 69 per cent of respondents intend to make at least one New Year's resolution, up from 52 per cent in 2008.

The most common aims are to exercise more (63 per cent), eat a healthier diet or eat less food (52 per cent) and lose weight (52 per cent).

Drinking, smoking resolutions

Other resolutions include getting more sleep (38 per cent), drinking less alcohol (17 per cent) and quitting smoking (13 per cent).

But the bad news is that most people won't stick to their promises, says Margy Osmond, chair of the Masters Games.

"New Year's resolutions are harder to keep than to make," she said in a statement.

"Some 65 per cent of respondents who resolved to exercise more frequently in 2008 failed to follow through and 45 per cent failed to honour any of the items on their lists."

Failure within first month

"In fact, 11 per cent broke all their 2008 New Year's resolutions before the end of the first week, with 25 per cent breaking all their 2008 commitments before the end of January."

Lost motivation was cited as the biggest reason for failure (37 per cent), with another 29 per cent saying they didn't stick to their resolutions because they were just not committed.

Ms Osmond urged Australians to "take heart and follow your dream of a fitter you" and use the World Masters Games and the prospect of competing and potentially winning a medal as the ultimate reward.

The World Masters Games, to take place from 10 to 18 October, are open to anyone over the age of 25 and are expected to attract more than 25,000 people from more than 100 countries.

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