|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
New Year brings need to start anew
By SUZETTE PORTER
Article published on Monday, Dec. 26, 2005 |
Almost everyone has made one at some time - a New Year's resolution to do something life changing.
The top resolutions include weight loss, quit smoking, exercise more, eat healthy, drink less alcohol or quit drinking alcohol, save more money, spend more time with family and friends - all intended to better ones health or quality of life.
According to researchers, most people don't keep their resolutions. People who don't make resolutions usually say its because it senseless because they know they won't keep them.
In 1997, researchers at the University of Washington conducted a study to help gain an understanding of the factors involved in successfully keeping New Year's resolutions. The study focused on health-related resolutions "because these types of pledges are the most common and 60 percent of Americans die from illnesses connected to behavior such as overeating, lack of exercise and smoking."
Researchers found that people who were most successful in keeping their resolutions had a high confidence that they could change their behavior and a high commitment to making the change.
Researchers said successful resolution keepers did not set New Year's goals without thinking them through and making preparations. People who make resolutions at the last minute, make resolutions based on what's on their mind at the time and making resolutions to "never do x again" most likely will fail.
The 1997 study involved 264 people who filled out Internet questionnaires. Most of the people filling out the questionnaires said they made several resolutions and 67 percent made three or more.
The most common resolution was exercising more, followed by spending more time working or studying, eating more healthy foods or eating less junk food, reducing the use of tobacco, alcohol, caffeine or other drug. Overall, more people made resolutions to start something than to stop something.
Researchers said those most successful at keeping resolutions were those with the most persistence. Most failed on the first attempt a keeping a resolution. The more successful tried multiple times with 17 percent succeeding after more than six attempts.
Researchers said people should not blame themselves if they don't keep their resolutions and to remember that behavior changes could be made throughout the year - not just at New Year's.
|
Article published on Monday, Dec. 26, 2005
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tampa Bay Newspapers
9911 Seminole Blvd.
Seminole, FL 33772
(727) 397-5563
Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
|
|
