Resolution dissolution: Fewer listing goals, keeping them for new year

Do you want to lose weight? Quit smoking? Change careers?

Fewer people are making new year’s resolutions, according to a variety of studies, and results of this week’s InMaricopa poll are consistent with that.

We asked: Do you find making new year’s resolutions helpful?

The greatest response — 43.4% — said they do not make new year’s resolutions.

Next highest, 39.3%, said resolutions seem like a good idea at the time, but two weeks later they lose their follow-through.

Only 17.2 percent still believe making them is helpful based on selection of the response, “Yes, they help me stay accountable to myself on goals that mean something to me.”

According to Forbes magazine, among those who still make new year’s resolutions the majority will fail to achieve them.

Forbes cites data from YouGovAmerica.com suggesting about a quarter of Americans will make resolutions. The most popular are about self improvement (living healthier 23%, getting happy 21%, losing weight 20%, exercising 7%, stopping smoking 5% and reducing drinking 2%). People also resolve to meet career or job goals (16%) and improve their relationships (11%), according to Forbes.

Only 8% of people will achieve their new year’s resolutions, according to a study cited by Forbes that was conducted by the University of Scranton.

Discoverhappyhabits.com suggests that resolutions often are not kept because people do not have the necessary skills and mindset.

It is not necessarily true, however, that if you snooze, you lose.

Among the greatest factors in achieving goals: Getting plenty of sleep.

According to sleep expert and neurologist Cathy Goldstein, for those trying to lose weight or eat healthier, a lack of sleep boosts a hunger hormone, which increases appetite, promotes fat storage and causes poor food choices.

For those with fitness goals, researchers found adequate sleep improves speed, strength and endurance.

For those aiming to improve work performance or get a promotion, lack of sleep leads to reduced productivity. Sleep-deprived people in management often are less ethical and not as alert, motivated or cheerful.

For those who want to boost their social lives, lack of sleep contributes to poor mood and worsened social interactions.

And for those looking to quit smoking, lack of sleep is tied to higher rates of nicotine dependence.