Australians vowing to do more physical activity or exercise was the overwhelming number one resolution on January 1, according to new research conducted by HCF Australia.
The research also revealed that Aussies plan to prioritise making money over improving connections with loved ones and changing their relationship with alcohol in 2022.
And HCF, Australia’s largest not for profit health fund, is encouraging Australians to set realistic health goals and seek support to help them achieve a happier and healthier new year.
The results of a survey conducted by HCF of more than 2500 people, show that while three quarters of Australians say they set New Year’s Resolutions, 78% won’t make it to the end of the year.
The survey also revealed that more than 3.4 million Aussies have taken out a gym membership as part of a New Year’s Resolution they hardly used; and 50% of parents with kids under 18 who set New Year’s Resolutions said they got too busy to stick to them.
The most popular goals this year are:
1. Do more physical activity or exercise 54%.
2. To eat more healthily and improve nutrition 47%.
3. Stress less 36%.
4. Make more money and chase financial freedom 36%.
5. Get more sleep 35%.
Other popular resolutions included to say ‘yes’ to new adventures and experiences at 33%; improve connections with loved ones 27%; reduce screen time 22%; and change relationship with alcohol 12%.
An analysis of HCF member benefits found there was an 80% increase in claims for Weight Management Classes in one year.
HCF Chief Officer Member Health Julie Andrews said health management programs were a great tool for people to ensure they had a support network set up to help them achieve success with health goals.
“We’re always looking for ways to help members be their healthiest selves,” Ms Andrews said.
“That’s why we offer evidence-based programs to help people develop healthier habits, lose weight if they need to and prevent the onset of various chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.”
Dietician Trent Watson said the best way for people to maximise their chances of achieving their goal was to use the ‘SMART’ acronym: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely.
“Be specific when you state your goal. You have to know exactly what you want in order to set yourself up to have it,” Dr Watson said.
“If your goal is vague, it's much harder to create a roadmap to achieving it, and it's also much harder to know when you hit it.
“Resolutions like ‘getting fit’ or ‘losing weight’ are difficult to quantify to say the least, and for best results, your goal needs to be measurable. This is the key piece that must be in place in order for you to know when you've reached your goal.
“You want to set goals that are challenging yet attainable if you put in the hard yards. Dangle the carrot sufficiently in view by not making them easy either.
“And finally, your goal should have a date attached to it so that you know how much time you have to hit it.”
