Brits resolve to be leaner, fitter and sort out their finances in 2011
Dieting, taking more exercise and sorting out finances top the nation's New Year's resolution list according to new research by comparison site, Gocompare.com.
The survey of 3,000 UK adults, now in its third year, reveals that 64 per cent of Brits plan to make resolutions for 2011. Health matters top the list this year with 55 per cent resolving to lose weight while 49 per cent want to get fitter. Financial matters still feature prominently in the behaviours people wish to change with 44 per cent of those surveyed resolving to sort out their finances and pay off debts.
Two fifths of people make resolutions because they genuinely hope to change their behaviour, however, the survey also revealed that over half (54 per cent) of New Year's resolutions will be broken by the end of January with only 14 per cent of people expecting to maintain their pledges between six to 12 months.
The UK's top resolutions
Lose weight 55%
Get fit/take more exercise 49%
Sort out finances/save money on outgoings 44%
Eat more healthily or change diet 35%
Look for a new job 16%
Take up a new hobby, sport or interest 16%
Spend more time with family/friends 15%
Stop/reduce smoking 14%
Stop/reduce drinking 11%
The 2011 Gocompare.com New Year's resolutions survey also found that the most popular financial resolutions concerned saving money. Reducing outgoings topped the list (49 per cent) while 30 per cent of people wanted to get out of debt or reduce loan and credit card costs. Saving money for a deposit on a home was the third most popular financial resolution (28 per cent).
Just over 10 per cent of respondents say they have ‘buy a house or move home' on their 2011 to do list while only eight per cent of people are resolving to put more into their pension.
John Miles, business development director at Gocompare.com commented, "Most people will make New Year's resolutions in 2011. And, unsurprisingly health, fitness and money matters top the list. A new year presents us with a new start and an opportunity to look forward as well as reflecting on the changes we want, or need, to make in our lives. While many of us make resolutions out of habit or tradition, our survey revealed that 42 per cent of people do so in the hope of genuinely changing their behaviour. However, the survey also shows that resolutions alone cannot be relied upon with 86% of vows faltering within six months, so people are going to need more help if they are to stay on track.
"Money worries are clearly very much front of mind still - the fact that more people are resolving to sort out their finances than ‘spend more time with their family', ‘quit smoking' and ‘reduce alcohol consumption' put together tells us a lot about the economic outlook for 2011. An easy step towards achieving this goal is to make sure that you are always getting a good deal on your insurances and utility bills. Comparison sites like Gocompare.com can help people to compare products and shop around for the best deal."