By Marie Haaland // SWNS
NEWS COPY w/ VIDEO + INFOGRAPHIC
Two-thirds of Americans have never successfully completed a New Year’s resolution, according to new research.
A survey of 2,000 adults revealed that of those who’ve previously set resolutions, 68% have never fully achieved one.
However, respondents are feeling optimistic this year — three-quarters have set resolutions for 2022, and 36% of those believe they’ll achieve all of their goals.
Thirty-five percent of resolution-setting respondents believe they’ll achieve some of their goals, while just 4% don’t think they’ll be successful with any.
Commissioned by N!CK’S healthy snacks and conducted by OnePoll, the survey looked at when Americans start hitting a “resolution cliff” — the date they start slacking on their New Year’s resolutions.
For those who don’t expect to hit all of their targets, the average respondent said they’d start falling behind before the end of the month, specifically by Jan. 29.
And for those respondents, Feb. 4 is when they expect to give up entirely on most of their 2022 goals.
Why is it so difficult to stick to a resolution? For those who don’t expect to complete all their aims for the year, the top reason is that they tried to give up something they enjoy (42%).
That was followed by being overly ambitious (42%) and not having a good support system to cheer them on (38%).
Respondents also expect to struggle with their 2022 resolutions because they lack motivation (37%) and set too many goals for themselves (37%).
“Once Jan. 1 comes around, people start passing on snacks, holding off on sweets, and limiting themselves all in the name of self-improvement,” said N!CK’S CEO Carlos Altschul. “But setting resolutions that restrict you from the things you love prove hard to follow. This is made clear by the nearly half of respondents who shared that their top obstacle in completing resolutions was that they tried to give up something they enjoy.”
The results found resolutions have taken a slightly different tone this year, as 75% of respondents said the ongoing pandemic has made them less concerned about fulfilling the "typical" New Year’s resolutions.
And in the wake of the pandemic, 69% said they're less focused on making significant lifestyle changes and more on their happiness.
With that in mind, 74% of respondents hope to make lasting, positive changes in 2022.
And 79% want to make changes for 2022 that are both good for their health and happiness.
“Instead of giving up what you love this year, N!CK’S suggests making positive changes that don’t come with a sacrifice, especially when it comes to eating healthy,” continued Altschul. “There are many options now for enjoying indulgent treats, without the sugar and calories. The new year should be a time of optimism, hope and happiness — and that includes saying yes to the snacks and treats you love. Yes to seconds and thirds. And yes to a healthy lifestyle.”
WHAT OBSTACLES HAVE HELD RESPONDENTS BACK FROM COMPLETING THEIR RESOLUTIONS?
- Tried to give up something they enjoy - 42%
- Their goals were too large/ambitious - 42%
- They don’t have a good support network for achieving their resolution - 38%
- They don’t have the motivation to stick to a resolution - 37%
- They set too many goals for myself - 37%
- Their resolution was expensive - 36%
- Other things took priority - 34%
- Not enough time for my resolution - 33%
RESPONDENTS’ TOP ANTI-RESOLUTIONS
- Stop procrastinating - 47%
- Stop spending as much time on social media - 42%
- Stop making excuses - 42%
- Stop drinking or cut back on alcohol - 37%
- Stop saying “yes” to everyone - 37%
- Stop limiting things I enjoy - 36%
