Festive failings
Women are weaker than men when it comes to keeping New Year's resolutions - and today is the day thousands will fall off the diet bandwagon, a study has revealed today[1].
Researchers found women give into temptation on average eight days earlier than men when it comes to watching their waistlines or giving up cigarettes and booze.
The average woman will give up their new healthy lifestyle and fall back into their old routine just six days into the New Year. That's 12 days later than it takes men to throw in the weight-loss towel.
Men who gave up booze will hit the bottle again less than a week into the New Year while women will last two weeks before giving in.
The stats emerged in a study by Sheilas' Wheels car insurance which reveals exactly when weak-willed Brits will give up their New Year's resolutions.
Jacky Brown at Sheilas' Wheels car insurance said: "Setting New Year’s resolutions is a classic tradition and a great time for most to kick out their old habits and start afresh, after the excess spending and eating surrounding Christmas.
When midnight strikes on 31st December, people across the nation pledge to change their ways for the year ahead. The most common resolutions such as healthy eating and fitness regimes always top the list, but this year, for most managing finances is also a very high priority."
The poll, of 2,000 Brits also revealed that men are better than women when it comes to giving up their smoking habit, with women having a crafty cigarette after just seven days while men make it until 20 days.
Women fail their attempt to drink eight glasses of water every 24 hours after just six days, and give up trying to eat five pieces of fruit and vegetables after five days.
Men manage to keep going with their water quota until day 11, and continue to eat their full five-a-day[2] for a total of 12 days.
It's the fitness regime where men really come out on top, lasting six weeks before quitting - 3 and a half weeks longer than women.
Researchers also revealed that men last eight days - twice as long as women - before going back to snacking on crisps and chocolates.
However, men aren't quite as good at taking packed lunches to work, lasting just three days before going back to their expensive shop-bought meals, while women manage to stick it out for ten days.
The poll also revealed that the average woman has made eight New Year resolutions this month, compared to just four for men.
But women will only manage to stick to one throughout the year while men will keep going with two.
Losing weight is the most popular resolution with women, with 62 per cent planning to shed some pounds, while 33 per cent intend to join a gym. Furthermore, a quarter (25 per cent) intend to get out of debt.
Nearly a fifth (18 per cent) of women also want to get a new job.
However, 38 per cent of men want to try to quit smoking and 21 per cent are vowing to become more organised.
Almost 22 per cent of men are even planning to ditch their girlfriend.
Top ten new year's resolutions and the time it takes before we quit them:
| Resolution | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Getting fit | 2.5 weeks | 6 weeks |
| Eating 5-a-day | 5 days | 12 days |
| Dieting | 6 days | 18 days |
| Giving up smoking | 7 days | 20 days |
| Giving up alcohol | 14 days | 6 days |
| Giving up chocolates/crisps/sweets | 4 days | 8 days |
| Drinking 8 glasses of water | 6 days | 11 days |
| Taking packed lunches to work | 10 days | 3 days |
| Spending more time with the family | 2 weeks | 4 weeks |
| Being more organised | 6 days | 14 days |
-ends-
Sheilas' Wheels press contacts:
Emma Lloyd, Assistant Communications Officer: 01737 641309
Asia Manzoor, Public Relations Officer: 01737 641305
Niki Bolton, Corporate Communications Manager: 01737 235070
Adrian Webb, Head of Corporate Communications: 01737 641000
Email: pr@sheilaswheels.com
Visit the official fansite for Sheilas’ Wheels: www.ilovesheilas.com
An ISDN line is available for radio interviews.
Notes to Editors:
[1] SWNS conducted an online research survey via Onepoll which interviewed a random sample of 2000 adults aged 18+ between 19th - 22nd December 2008
[2] Five pieces of fruit and vegetables
About Sheilas’ Wheels:
Sheilas’ Wheels was launched in October 2005 to offer women drivers cheaper car insurance and product enhancements including £300 handbag cover - for bags stolen from the car (comprehensive cover only), competitive breakdown recovery rates, a dedicated counselling line run by trained professionals to help customers cope with driving issues such as road rage (comprehensive cover only) and a network of female-friendly repairers. In February 2008, the brand moved beyond car insurance to also offer home insurance.
Sponsorship:
Sheilas' Wheels sponsors the ITV National and Channel 4 Weather bulletins: "Whether skies are grey or blue, Sheilas’ Wheels could cover you."
