Researchers led by dietitian Dimitros Koutoukidis say weight loss is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions. But many people abandon those promises and give up on their health plans. So they asked whether attempts to lose weight at the start of the year are more successful than attempts made at other times.
The Best and Worst Times for Weight Loss
To explore the question, the team tracked more than 85,000 people in England, mostly aged 65 and older. All participants were at risk for diabetes and enrolled in a disease-prevention program. They were observed from January 2017 through December 2018.
Participants attended in-person or online sessions that encouraged healthier eating, more physical activity, and weight loss. The published results show participants lost an average of 2 kg over six months.
However, people who began the program in January lost 12-30% more weight than those who started at other times of year. The study found the poorest results came in July and August, followed by September and December.
Weight Loss Is Best When Motivation Is High
The team warns these are observational findings, not proof. They point to seasonal weight patterns—people tend to weigh more in winter and less in summer—and suggest the “fresh start” of New Year’s resolutions helps those who diet in January.
That idea is supported by the surge in weight-loss attempts and intensive programs in January. More group activity and shared goals can boost motivation, increase focus on diet plans, and produce larger weight loss.
According to the researchers, August may be the toughest month for sticking to a diet because it’s vacation season. Time off and relaxation during holidays make it harder to follow weight-loss programs.
Dr. Koutoukidis says their hypothesis is that people see January as a “new beginning” because of New Year’s resolutions. That perception drives more people to attend group sessions and, as a result, to lose more weight.
However, as the Daily Mail points out, the British Dietetic Association has warned that the slogan “New Year, New You” can be harmful. That mindset can lead to extreme dieting and damage mental health. The association suggests thinking about what to eat more of—such as fiber—rather than focusing on restricting the diet.
