New Year pledges fail in hours

Last updated at 17:32 22 December 2004


Living a more healthy lifestyle may be top of many people's list of New Year resolutions, but a survey today revealed that many of the best intentions fail within a few hours.

Quitting smoking, losing weight and eating more healthily were the top resolutions during 2003, according to Fitness Expo.

But its poll of more than 2,000 people found that a third of last year's pledges only lasted up to a week and one in seven lasted just a few hours.

Smoking appeared the toughest to quit, and of the 27 per cent who wanted to kick the habit, a quarter only lasted a few hours in 2003 and half only lasted two or three days.

However there was some success, with a quarter managing to stay off the fags for more than three months.

Resolutions to ditch junk food proved to be more successful, with half of the 16 per cent wanting to eat more healthily lasting more than three months.

Of those wanting to cut out chocolate, crisps and junk food, 40% made it past the three-month mark too.

For 2004, a quarter of people were planning to try to lose weight.

One in six wanted to improve their overall body shape and one in 10 intended to exercise with friends and family.

Ivan Allen, of Fitness Expo 2004 being held in London in May, said: "Although there's a fun side to New Year resolutions, they can also be a genuinely successful way to kick off a new healthy lifestyle - from giving up smoking to getting the recommended amount of 30 minutes' exercise five times a week.

"The good news is that people seem keen to stick with resolutions for longer and there remains a strong commitment to fitness and good health, along with a balanced and relaxed lifestyle."

The Fitness Expo 2004 show at Earls Court on May 15-16 will showcase health, diet and fitness products to promote a healthy lifestyle.

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