Aussies about to kick off their New Year resolutions could need help staying on track, as over half (57%) admit they find it difficult to maintain healthy habits, according to new research.
The data from number one global nutrition and food tracking app, MyFitnessPal, found that while nine in ten Gen Z (82%) and millennial (80%) Australians have set themselves a New Year’s resolution for 2024, only one in ten (12%) will maintain them this year.
Psychologist, nutrition and fitness expert, Leanne Hall said; “There’s no doubt this is a popular time of year to make some lifestyle changes, the problem is that we tend to set ourselves ambitious and unrealistic resolutions that are difficult to maintain. Aussies are more likely to achieve their goals by focusing on making small changes, and taking small steps to a healthier lifestyle.”
Leanne shares her top five tips for how Aussies can stay on track with their health goals this year.
Focus on creating new habits
The concept of a New Year’s resolution is outdated. It encourages people to set themselves a huge target that’s often unrealistic and the result is that, more than often, they give up.
Instead, focus on how you can create new habits that will help you reach your goals for the long-term.
Break goals down into small steps
The first step to creating a new habit is to break your goal down into smaller steps. For example, rather than ‘losing weight’, try being more specific and including more sustainable changes such as ‘adding more leafy greens’ or ‘adding more regular exercise into my day’. Focusing on something positive you can add to your lifestyle, rather than removing ‘bad’ foods will also be helpful.
Get to know your current routine
Everyone’s health goals and lifestyle are different. The only way you can make positive long-term change is by gaining an understanding of your current nutrition and exercise habits. By logging and tracking these habits, you can see more clearly the steps you can take to make a change.
Keep track of your progress
When asked how to stick to healthy habits, Aussies cited setting clear and achievable goals as the most important factor (25%), followed by general repetition (18%) and visible progress tracking (14%). Positive reinforcement works. One of the best ways to monitor your progress is through a tracking app like MyFitnessPal that will highlight the importance of rewarding progress, especially the small wins.
Play the long game
It’s important to challenge yourself but by making small changes that add up over time, you’re much more likely to stick to them.
