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More than one in two (55%) Australians who are setting New Year’s resolutions will start them before the start of January, according to new research from leading nutrition and food tracking app, MyFitnessPal
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On average, early starters will be kicking off their goals an average of 12 days ahead of January 1, with almost half (48%) getting a headstart over the last week of December
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Early starts are more popular across the east coast of the country, with six in ten (61%) ACT residents surveyed working on their resolutions ahead of the Christmas holidays and the New Year, followed closely by South Australians (59%) and just over half of NSW residents surveyed (51%).
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Almost one third of respondents (29%) said they or people in their circles are beginning resolutions earlier than in previous years, signalling a shift in how Aussies approach motivation and long-term habit building
Sydney, Australia, 28 December, 2025 – With the countdown to 2026 truly underway, some Australians are breaking the common trend of starting fresh in the New Year, by getting ahead on their goals before December ends.
According to nutrition and food tracking app, MyFitnessPal, more than half (55%) of Aussies surveyed who are setting a resolution this year will be working towards it before 2025 comes to an end, with early starters typically beginning 12 days before January 1. Most of the ones planning to hit the ground running on their resolutions will do so before the holiday season wraps, with most set to start over the last week of December (48%), and nearly a quarter (25%) starting as early as a fortnight before.
Nationally, the early-start trend is strongest along the nation’s eastern coast, with the ACT leading the charge. More than three in five (61%) ACT residents surveyed say they begin working on their resolutions before the Christmas holidays and the New Year, followed closely by South Australians (59%) and over half of NSW residents surveyed (51%).
Nutritionist and MyFitnessPal ambassador, Michaela Sparrow, said, “It’s encouraging to see many Australians shifting away from the pressure of the perfect January 1 start. Beginning early gives people space to experiment, adjust and gradually ease into new routines, which makes them more likely to last in the long term,”
“Afterall, being able to stick to new habits is a process, not a date. ‘Pre-gaming’ our goals ahead of time can help take pressure off ‘all or nothing’ resolutions and sets people up for better long-term success. "When Aussies start early, they're giving themselves the benefit of time to support building sustainable habits that last beyond the first few weeks of the New Year,” continued Michaela.
The survey also points to almost one third (29%) of Aussies surveyed saying they or their family and friends are getting a head start this year, with the number increasing to almost half (49%) among those that usually set goals or resolutions themselves - a sign Australians might be rethinking their approach to goal setting altogether.
Among those respondents who are still waiting until the New Year to make a start, almost half (46%) will be doing so due to the difficulty of staying motivated during the holidays , while others don’t want to miss out on festive food and drinks (42%) or are too busy with end-of-year commitments (41%).
“While many might still be looking to kick start their resolutions in 2026, this trend showcases that Australians are recognising that true progress can begin any time - before, during, or after the holidays.” said Michaela.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about consistency, not perfection. Nutrition tracking tools, like MyFitnessPal, may help Aussies make more mindful and informed choices of what they’re eating, tracking progress and results across the journey - whether it starts in December, January, or any time of the year,” added Michaela.
To learn more about how nutrition tracking and MyFitnesspal can help building healthier habits in 2026, visit www.myfitnesspal.com or download the app for free via the App Store or Google Play.
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About MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal is the #1 global nutrition and food tracking app founded in 2005 with a mission to help people around the world reach their health goals through better food choices by providing knowledge, motivation, and a sense of progress. Supporting nearly 1 million people in reaching their nutrition and fitness goals every year and with a community of over 280 million members in over 120 countries, MyFitnessPal offers members one of the world’s most comprehensive nutrition and food tracking platforms, allowing them to track their food, create personalized and goal-driven meal plans, record exercise activity, and log their weight. With one of the largest food databases in the world comprising over 20 million foods, access to over 2,000 recipes, and over 35 connected fitness partners, MyFitnessPal provides members with the tools for positive healthy change.
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