Exact date you'll give up on New Year's Resolutions – unless you've done one thing

The start of the New Year often brings with it the tradition of setting resolutions.

Many people decide to implement one or two resolutions at the beginning of January but, despite good intentions, these changes frequently fall by the wayside.

It's a disappointing truth backed by research. Studies have shown that a significant number of us abandon our New Year's resolutions just 17 to 18 days into January.

This was highlighted in a study from 2022. Whether it's aspirations to get fitter, lose weight or introduce new lifestyle habits, most of us tend to lose enthusiasm within the first month.

In addition, findings from the British Journal of Health Care Management suggest that the failure of resolutions is often due to their lack of specificity. For resolutions to endure, they need to be well-defined.

Experts recommend adopting the SMART criteria for resolutions they should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound. Rather than vaguely resolving to "get fitter", it's better to specify the exercise, frequency, location and duration.

For instance, you might commit to running three times a week for 30 minutes before work. Similarly, instead of a broad goal to "eat more healthily", detailing what you aim to eat and when can make all the difference.

For instance, you might want to commit a week to going meat-free, or reduce your sugar intake by avoiding biscuits and sweet treats.

However, while this advice is beneficial, it's crucial to keep your goals realistic. It's not uncommon for people to indulge a bit more during the festive season, but many also aim for healthier habits as the new year rolls in.

Once the holiday season wraps up, there's often a surge in motivation to exercise more and maintain