New Year's Resolutions: Going to the gym to cheer yourself up key to staying the course

Vague aspirations to get slim not sufficient motivation to ensure we meet our fitness goals, research concludes

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Given up your New Year resolutions already? The secret to sticking with an exercise regime has been revealed – going to the gym to cheer yourself up, a study has found.

A poll of 2,000 Brits found those who start exercising as a way of simply boosting their mood stick with their plan the longest.

Gym-goers who want to keep fit and take care of their health are also more likely to keep going.

But simply trying to stay slim is most likely to result in people quitting early with those exercising for this reason only lasting around five weeks before they throw in the towel.

The study, by Vitabiotics, found 62 per cent of adults reckon they are more likely to stick with a diet or fitness regime if they have some sort of goal in mind.

Nevertheless, one in four wants to make a permanent change to their lifestyle in 2018.

A spokesman for Vitabiotics Wellman Energy and Wellwoman Energy supplements said: “Everyone has different reasons for embarking on a fitness regime – whether it’s simply to lose weight, get in shape for a holiday or to do something for themselves.

“But it seems some motives are more likely to be successful than others.

“When you start exercising, you have the best of intentions to stick with it but that can be easier said than done.”

The study found those who turn to exercise to improve their mood keep going for seven weeks and six days on average.

At the other end of the scale, those who are trying to maintain their slim build or weight loss will only keep going for five weeks and four days before they start to miss sessions.

And people heading to the gym for no other reason than because everyone else does will last just five weeks and five days.

Exercising with the sole purpose of trying to lose excess weight will see gym goers stick with it for six weeks and four days.

Researchers from OnePoll.com also found 70 per cent of adults reckon they usually reach their goal when they embark on a diet or fitness regime, sticking with it for an average of more than six-and-a-half weeks.

Reaching a particular weight is the most common aim, followed by getting into a lower clothes size and being able to do a certain amount of exercise easily.

Losing weight is also the most popular reason for embarking on a diet or exercise plan, along with getting fit, looking your best for a holiday and taking care of health issues.

Two thirds admit they are unlikely to succeed when it comes to fitness and healthy eating if they aren’t motivated.

But 66 per cent admit they need to do more to boost their fitness levels than they currently do, while another six in 10 think they need to improve their diet.

As a result, 31 per cent made a New Year’s resolution to do more exercise and lead a healthier lifestyle this year, with 77 per cent claiming they are still sticking at it – for now.

A spokesman added: “Having something to aim for can motivate you to exercise, but it is easy to lose interest. A long-term, permanent lifestyle change is better than short-lived bursts of working out and healthy eating.

“Nutrients such as iron have been shown to boost energy levels and reduce fatigue, as found in Wellman Energy and Wellwoman Energy supplements.”

Top 10 reasons for embarking on a diet or healthy eating regime:

1. To lose weight
2. To keep fit generally
3. To get fit for a holiday
4. To take care of my health
5. Because I feel like I should
6. To stay slim
7. To improve my mood
8. To challenge myself
9. For fun
10. To give myself some me-time

SWNS