Nutrition and fitness expert spotlights benefits of MyFitnessPal app

With New Year resolutions underway for Australians, data from health and fitness tracking smartphone app MyFitnessPal shows that many could need help staying on track, as over half (57%) admit they find it difficult to maintain healthy habits.

The data from MyFitnessPal found that while 82% Gen Z and 80% millennial Australians have set themselves a New Year's resolution for 2024, only 12% will maintain them this year.

Psychologist, nutrition and fitness expert, Leanne Hall shares "there's no doubt this is a popular time of year to make some lifestyle changes, the problem is that we tend to set ourselves ambitious and unrealistic resolutions that are difficult to maintain. Aussies are more likely to achieve their goals by focusing on making small changes, and taking small steps to a healthier lifestyle."

Hall has highlighted her top five tips for how Australians can stay on track with their health goals this year.

Keep track of your progress
When asked how to stick to healthy habits, Australians cited setting clear and achievable goals as the most important factor (25%), followed by general repetition (18%) and visible progress tracking (14%). Positive reinforcement works. One of the best ways to monitor your progress is through a tracking app like MyFitnessPal that will highlight the importance of rewarding progress, especially the small wins.

Focus on creating new habits
The concept of a New Year's resolution is outdated. It encourages people to set themselves a huge target that's often unrealistic and the result is that, more than often, they give up. Instead, focus on how you can create new habits that will help you reach your goals for the long-term.

Break goals down into small steps
The first step to creating a new habit is to break your goal down into smaller steps. For example, rather than 'losing weight', try being more specific and including more sustainable changes such as 'adding more leafy greens' or 'adding more regular exercise into my day'. Focusing on something positive you can add to your lifestyle, rather than removing 'bad' foods will also be helpful.

Get to know your current routine
Everyone's health goals and lifestyle are different. The only way you can make positive long-term change is by gaining an understanding of your current nutrition and exercise habits. By logging and tracking these habits, you can see more clearly the steps you can take to make a change.

Play the long game
It's important to challenge yourself but by making small changes that add up over time, you're much more likely to stick to them. To help Australians maintain healthy habits, MyFitnessPal has launched a FREE 7 day 'Small Steps, Big Wins' plan which contains tips and recipes to help Australians understand both the quantity and quality of what they're eating - to kick off their New Year right.

Rather than requiring a lifestyle overhaul, the plan is designed to be approachable, helping Australians make small changes and reach their health goals in 2024.

Leanne Hall holds an Honours Degree in Psychology, A Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and is currently completing her PhD in Clinical Psychology.

As a registered Psychologist, Hall has been working as a Therapist for over 20 years, where she specialises in working with teenagers, parents, and families from diverse backgrounds.

She’s the author of Head First Health Fast, the Smart Approach to Outwitting Body Issues and Sustaining Achievable Health.

With additional qualifications in nutrition and fitness training, combined with her research interests in sociology and philosophy, Hall’s approach is highly eclectic, as she draws on a number of mind/body techniques and influences.