Did you make some New Year's resolutions this year? Yep, me too.
Did you break yours already? Yep, me too.
Ready to give up yet? Me neither. Now that I have fallen, I know I can get back up and try again.
Only 45 percent of 1,012 Americans surveyed for a recent telephone poll said they made New Year's resolutions this year. The most popular reason they didn't? Only 8 percent said they keep them.
Doc Watson, a volunteer at the Willmar Senior Citizens Center, said he doesn't make New Year's resolutions. "You're only as good as your word," he said. "Most people make them knowing they're going to break them and that's not my thing."
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"You probably have good intentions," said Charlotte Rasmusson, another volunteer.
"I didn't make one," said Darlene Kotzenmacher, the manager of Cash Wise Video, "but the rest of my family is on a diet. They're making wagers to see who can lose the most weight."
She said her husband and two oldest daughters pulled out some old Weight Watchers books to get ideas. She didn't know how sincere one of her daughter's was -- she might only be in it for the money.
The top 10 New Year's resolutions, according to About.com, are "spending more time with family and friends, fitness, taming the bulge, to quit smoking, enjoy life more, quit drinking, get out of debt, learn something new, help others, and get organized."
Statistics show that people who plan out their resolutions and see them as a lifestyle change are more likely to stick with them. Picking New Year's as a fresh start is a good idea. Dr. John C. Norcross, a psychologist at the University of Scranton, says 46 percent of people with a resolution had higher rates of success at six months than those who didn't make a resolution.
But with the number of people making New Year's resolutions declining, why do some people still make them?
"I like making goals," said Missy Oothoudt, a substitute teacher who also works at Cash Wise Video and Decision Hills Camp. Her resolutions include getting in shape and eating healthier. "I bought some exercise equipment. I'm keeping receipts from eating out and it's going to help me realize how much I'm eating out each week."
-- Amber Nohrenberg
