NEW YORK — It’s not even February yet, but most Americans are already panicking about their New Year’s resolutions. According to a new survey, a whopping 71 percent of respondents say they’ll be pursuing weight loss goals in 2021 and nearly seven in 10 people are feeling pressured to start eating healthy again.
The OnePoll survey asked 2,000 Americans about their time in quarantine in 2020. Despite the end of the pandemic in sight with vaccines rolling out, many say their time in quarantine took a toll on their eating habits and their waistline. Furthermore, and perhaps equally alarming, seven in 10 add their eating habits have progressively gotten worse as the pandemic continues. With this in mind, 67 percent said they’ll be taking a new approach to their annual weight loss resolution this year.
Which is to blame? Temptation or metabolism?
Commissioned by Nutrisystem, the survey also revealed that 76 percent of Americans are eating more during their workday because of their proximity to the kitchen. Just under 30 percent now go to their fridge more than 10 times a day while working from home. Nearly three-quarters of respondents also said they think more people than ever will be pursuing weight loss goals in the new year thanks to quarantine weight gain.
Sixty-five percent of the poll add mindless eating has contributed to their quarantine weight gain. Americans say they just keep chowing down as they watch TV, scroll through their phones, or are just plain bored. Late night snacking also increased for 67 percent of respondents during quarantine.
The survey also asked respondents to reflect on the impact their metabolism has on weight gain. Seven in 10 people said it was a rude awakening when they couldn’t eat like they used to. Nearly as many respondents added it’s been more difficult to lose weight and feel that their metabolism has definitely slowed. Another 62 percent said they aren’t able to enjoy certain foods anymore.
Finding what works for you is key to weight loss
“Studies have shown that a personalized approach to nutrition leads to better and more sustained adherence,” says Courtney McCormick, manager of clinical research and nutrition at Nutrisystem, in a statement. “And in a recent clinical study testing the personalized Nutrisystem program, which integrates the science of metabolic adaptation, users sustained steady weight loss results while enjoying the foods they love.”
Respondents’ struggles with a slowing metabolism may also contribute to the top reason why Americans aren’t successfully losing weight – a lack of motivation. Sixty-six percent of those polled said that healthy eating is too much of a hassle. Another 68 percent feel like they always have to sacrifice taste when eating healthy.
“Losing weight and eating healthy doesn’t have to be about depriving yourself,” McCormick adds. “You can absolutely enjoy the foods you love and still lose weight.”