Fight The Festive Flab Tops Resolution Lists

New Zealanders who overindulged during the festive season have put ‘shaping up’ for summer on the top of their New Year’s resolution list, reveals a survey commissioned by leading weight management experts, Jenny Craig.

To ring in 2012, more than 400 Kiwis were questioned on appearance and weight loss, goals for the New Year and attitudes to exercise, general health and wellbeing with results heavily skewed towards combating the Christmas spread.

The study indicated that New Zealanders are image conscious when it comes to New Year’s resolutions, with 75% of respondents saying they will be setting goals related to appearance, weight loss, or both.

Healthy New Year’s resolutions come off the back of enjoying the holiday season a little too much, with 40% of respondents identifying calorific Christmas candy and chocolate as their biggest festive food weakness.

The majority (63%) of New Zealanders surveyed confessed that their overall kilojoule intake would increase over the festive season, while 51.5% of respondents admitted they would be indulging in more alcohol over the Christmas and New Year period.

Jenny Craig dietician, Karen Inge, says the festive season ‘weight creep’ is common with Kiwis who overindulge during the holiday period.

“The survey results highlight that food and drink has become a significant part of the Christmas experience, with Kiwis choosing to overindulge on chocolate, candy and alcohol instead of making healthier food choices,” says Ms Inge.

“Festive treats are often very high in kilojoules, and it is no surprise that people who significantly increase their food intake over the Christmas and New Year period are faced with unwanted weight gain in January.”

“It is positive to see New Zealanders wanting to improve their attitudes towards food and exercise in the New Year, but it is important to remember that healthy weight management is about a long term approach rather than a short burst over the summer months.”

The survey also revealed exercise was a high priority for New Zealanders in a bid to become bikini ready, with 54% of respondents saying they would be exercising more for summer.

The majority of respondents admitted that comfort food had got the better of them in 2011, with 68% of Kiwis saying that they had put on weight during the winter months..

More than 39% of respondents said they had actively tried to lose weight three to five times in their lifetime. Barriers to personal weight loss were identified as lack of motivation (61.1%), lack of energy (50.3%) and having a busy lifestyle (48.6%).


5 top tips to sticking to News Year Resolutions, from Karen Inge, Jenny Craig dietician.


1. Be realistic Don’t aim for everything, break down goals into mini-resolutions

2. Make them something you really want to do ie learn to dance - you’ll get the health benefits without really trying

3. Make them positive goals Instead of aiming to cut out fat, aim to fill half your plate with vegetables

4. Include pleasure within the pain book into a spa retreat and do the detox and pampering package

5. Do it with a friend it’s easier to commit to something if you have support



Jenny Craig Ship Shape for Summer survey results

Will your New Year’s resolution be related to your appearance and weight loss?
a) Yes, appearance 9.3%
b) Yes, weight loss 25.7%
c) Yes, both appearance and weight loss 39.7%
d) No, none of the above 25.4%
 

What is your biggest festive food weakness?
a) Wine 16.1%
b) Beer 7.4%
c) Ice Cream 9.5%
d) BBQ 8.7%
e) Pavlova 5.7%
f) Fish and chips 12.5%
g) Christmas candy and chocolate 40.1%
 

Do you consume more calories/kilojoules over the Christmas/ New Year holidays than any other time of year?
a) Yes 62.9%
b) No 9.5%
c) Around the same amount 27.5%
 

Do you anticipate you will drink more alcoholic drinks over the Christmas / New Year period than any other time of year?
a) Yes 51.5%
b) No 34.1%
c) Around the same amount 14.4%
 

Does the Christmas and New Year holiday period slow down your exercise habits?
a) Yes 60.8%
b) No 25.3%
c) Not sure 14.0%

Do you feel you put on weight over the winter months?
a) Yes 68.3%
b) No 17.5%
c) Not sure 14.3%
 

Are you actively trying to lose weight before summer? If so, how much are you aiming to lose?
a) No, I am not trying to lose weight 18.2%
b) 1kg 1.1%
c) 2kg 9.0%
d) 3kg 9.0%
e) 4kg 3.7%
f) 5kg 15.0%
g) 6-10kg 19.5%
h) 11-20kg 12.4%
i) 21+kg 12.1%
 

How often do you weigh yourself, approximately?
a) Once a day or more 9.4%
b) Every second day 5.0%
c) Three times a week 7.6%
d) Once a week 18.1%
e) Once a fortnight 8.9%
f) Once a month 17.5%
g) Six times per year 9.2%
h) Every six months 6.8%
i) Once a year 8.6%
j) Never 8.9%
 

On a scale of 1 – 10, how would you rate your body?
1) COVER IT UP - I am not happy with my body 19.4%
2) 8.4%
3) 15.5%
4) 19.7%
5) OK - I don’t mind either way 16.3%

6) 5.8%

7) 11.0%

8) 3.7%

9) 2.1%

10) HOT! I am happy with my appearance and wouldn’t change a thing 1.3%


How many times have you tried to lose weight in the past?
a) Never 15.9%
b) 1 to 2 times 28.1%
c) 3 to 5 times 39.5%
d) I’ve tried every fad diet you can name 16.4%


Will you start exercising especially for the summer months?
a) Yes, more than usual 53.7%
b) No more than I normally would 37.0%
c) Not sure 9.3%
 

What is your favourite way to exercise over summer?
a) Walking 33.8%
b) Running 14.4%
c) Cycling 2.1%
d) Zumba 7.2%
e) Swimming 13.8%
f) Gym workout 17.8%
g) Dance/workout DVD 3.5%
h) Other 7.4%
 

What motivates you the most to exercise over summer?
a) The hot, sunny weather 12.3%
b) The thought of having to wear more open clothing and/or swimming togs 28.0%
c) The health benefits 14.9%
d) The opinion of family and friends 4.0%
e) All of the above 34.1%
f) Other 6.7%
 

How many times per week on average do you exercise in summer?
a) Once 7.0%
b) Twice 16.8%
c) More than three times 44.1%
d) Every day 17.6%
e) Once every fortnight 3.2%
f) I do no exercise at all 11.2%
 

Which of these affect your own personal weight loss? Tick all that apply.
a) A busy lifestyle 48.6%
b) Lack of time 45.4%
c) Lack of energy 50.3%
d) Lack of motivation 61.1%
e) Cost of exercising and eating healthy 37.2%
f) I put everyone else before myself 27.2%
g) Other 7.3%
 

Which of your own body parts do you like the most?
a) Bottom 9.5%
b) Stomach 10.9%
c) Arms 11.1%
d) Legs 23.6%
e) Chest 20.7%
f) Other 24.2%
 

What is your least favourite body part?
a) Bottom 7.6%
b) Stomach 52.7%
c) Arms 7.1%
d) Legs 22.0%
e) Chest 6.8%
f) Other 3.8%
 

Why is a healthy lifestyle most important to you?
a) To maintain general health and wellbeing 41.9%
b) Being slim 19.5%
c) Feeling good 27.7%
d) Maintaining fitness 3.8%
e) Having energy 4.4%
f) Other 2.7%

Jenny Craig

Jenny Craig gives you SkillPower TM – because to lose weight and keep it off you don’t just need a diet and willpower, you need an expert-designed programme + skills + someone to help keep you motivated and on track.

Jenny Craig knows how hard it is to get motivated to take the first step and lose weight. In fact, 95% of people are trying to do it alone and failing.

Jenny Craig consultants really do focus on individual needs, issues and challenges. Each weekly one-to-one consultation helps clients find solutions to any weight loss challenges and offers unrivalled support.

A fully integrated programme that helps clients learn to manage their weight by focusing on self-awareness, nutrition, physical activity and gradual behaviour change, without deprivation. Inspire people to have a passion and respect for their own health and wellbeing.

Visit www.jennycraig.co.nz for further information on their programme.