Survey reveals top 5 New Year’s resolutions worth making for 2023

The top resolutions for the new year have been revealed with a large chunk of Australia agreeing on one particular goal. See what made the list.

A large chunk of the country has sworn to increase their physical activity or exercise in the new year, it can be revealed.

An exclusive survey has found that 52 per cent of Australians have promised to change poor habits by moving more than usual and being active.

The survey was conducted on behalf of the nation's largest not for profit health fund HCF and collected results from over 1000 participants.

Over 80 per cent of those surveyed said they had made a resolution but almost half of them – 46 per cent – admitted their busy lives had gotten in the way of achieving it.

Cost of living pressures were also a primary hindrance for 62 per cent of people aiming to reach their desired health goals, with a third revealing they had to cut back on buying fresh food.

Steph Lewington and Annie Wilson are tightening their budgets and exercising more for the new year. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“Start small and build it up. Do about 30 minutes a day and try to fit it in where you can, such as during a lunch break or before a meal,” HCF Health Coach and Dietitian Deepti Khatri said.

“Motivation comes with momentum, so if you start small and build slowly, you’re more likely to find success.”

Just under 50 per cent of participants shared they would like to shed some kilos and improve their diet.

Meanwhile, just over a third – 37 per cent – of people are keen to catch some more z’s and 38 per cent are chasing greater financial freedom in the new year.

NYE celebrations in Sydney last year. Picture: Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images

Mosman mum Steph Lewington, 28, has vowed to double her running distance in 2023 while cutting costs.

She confessed she often failed to stick to her resolutions, but said saving money would be a massive motivator to succeed.

“I want to be able to run 10km by the end of the year and save money, especially with inflation,” she said.

“I’m cancelling my gym membership because life is too tight.”

Fellow AFL player and friend Annie Wilson, 27, echoed a similar promise to save money and get outdoors more often to exercise with mates.

“I actually got a new job closer to home because of the cost of driving. I couldn’t afford it anymore,” she said.

“I also want more sleep and prioritise down time and not fill out weekends.”

Margaret the Great Dane will be joining the girls. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Margaret the Great Dane, affectionately known as ‘Maggie’, will also be tagging along to ensure their goals are met.

Despite a great focus on losing kilos – which weighed in as the second most popular resolution for 2023 – Dr Khatri urged people to remember it wasn’t just about the number on the scales.

She said making lifestyle changes to reduce the amount of visceral fat, which is “the bad fat” sitting around your vital organs, was paramount to improving overall health.

“Weight is important, but it’s more useful on a population level not on an individual level,” she said.

“Nutritionally, frozen veggies like blueberries and spinach are just as good or often better than fresh veggies (because) they're harvested at peak ripening and snap frozen (which slows natural decay).”