Here’s how many pounds people expect to gain by the end of the year

According to a new survey, three-quarters of Americans plan to enjoy the rest of the year and not worry about their diet, compared to just half last year.

The results found that 72% of the 2,000 Americans surveyed this year want to make the most of the end of the year, regardless of what that means for their diet, compared to 54% in last year’s survey.

That attitude may help explain why respondents to the sixth annual Year-End Depreciation Survey expect to gain eight pounds before the end of the year, compared with five and a half pounds last year.

In fact, 50% of respondents admitted to eating so much during the year-end season that they had to unbutton their pants or loosen their belt, and 35% even ate until they were sick or had enough to burst.

Not only that, but respondents ate more than three meals a day (47%) or more than one dessert per meal (42%), and many ate more than one of the same meals during the day (59%).

The results, commissioned by Herbalife and conducted by OnePoll, revealed that two-thirds (66%) of respondents are using the end of the year to delay their health, an increase of 24% compared to the previous year.

Seventy-two percent of respondents admit that at the end of the year they broke their diet, 48 percent of them, because of the temptation of holiday food.

When it comes to weight gain, 78% of respondents admit to gaining weight in the past year, and 38% are still carrying around some of those extra holiday pounds as of 2022.

The end of the year should be a time to focus on family, friends and self-care, said Dr. Kent Bradley, Herbalife’s Chief Health and Nutrition Officer. “Identify specific, achievable actions you want to take to improve your health and mindset, and if you can, bring your friends and family along on that health journey.”

Despite being prone to temptation at the end of the year, 68% of respondents are convinced that they will have healthy habits in the new year.

And it will take an average of about 19 days for them to return to their healthy habits or start new ones.

As part of that, 47% plan to make a New Year’s resolution for 2024. This compares to 32% who planned to make a resolution for 2023.

For 2024, the top resolutions are eating healthier (68%), exercising more (66%) and getting more sleep (56%). This was followed by a focus on self-care (54% and saving money (53%)).

Of those who plan to eat healthier in the new year, the survey explored what specific changes they want to make to their diet. Incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet and going vegan top the list.

Others may be embracing a more flexible diet and planning to eat less meat, without going completely vegan or vegetarian, third on the list of healthy changes.

As we approach 2024 and think about ways to improve in the new year, make sure you take the time to plan and prepare for the positive behavioral changes you want to make and be kind to yourself in the process, Bradley said. Remember, the best dietary changes involve specific behavioral changes, because those are the ones you can stick with.

At the end of the year, Americans have…

Eats more than one of the same meals during the day 59%

They were so eaten that they had to unbutton their pants or loosen their belt 50%

Eats more than three meals a day 47%

Ate more than one dessert in one meal 42%

Eat until they are sick, sick or full to bursting 35%

The best resolutions for 2024

Eat healthier 68%

Exercise more 66%

Sleep more 56%

Focus on self-care 54%

Save more money 53%

Lose weight 35%

Improve your work-life balance by 30%

Learn a new skill or start a new hobby 22%

Make new friends/go out more 22%

Start a new diet/program 20%