Today is the day when most people will give up their New Year's resolutions... just nine days after they were made

We began 2012 with the best of intentions, vowing to ditch our bad habits for good.

But already the last traces of willpower are fading away.

Today is the day most people will give up their New Year's resolutions - just nine days after they were made.

Slowing down: Most of us are about to give up on our vows to exercise, save money or lose weight (file picture)

Three-quarters of 3,000 British adults surveyed admitted they were no longer confident they would stick to their promises for the rest of the month.

The most popular resolutions this year related to physical and emotional wellbeing, with seven out of ten joining a gym or going jogging in the past two weeks.

Six out of ten said they were trying to eat more healthily or lose weight, according to the study by allabouthealth.org.

Spokesman Ajit Malhi said: 'While 2011 took its toll for many of us financially, it's important that people look after their emotional and physical health to make sure you can deal with the demands of today's busy lifestyles.

'Setting resolutions is a great way to start afresh but as the stats show it can be difficult to kick out old habits.'

Defeated: This will on average be the fourth year we have failed to keep the same resolution

Two thirds of those who made resolutions did so with a concrete goal in mind, including reaching a certain weight, clearing debt and saving for a holiday.

Three out of ten said they were cutting down on alcohol while a quarter planned to stop smoking.

More than a quarter said they had experienced a 'health scare' that had made them reassess their lifestyle and aim to change in 2012.

Although most people were motivated by a desire to be healthier, four out of ten said they wanted to become 'a better person', with many hoping this would improve their relationships.

A third were pushed into making their resolution at someone else's request and one in ten said they were doing it for their children.

Sixty per cent said they preferred to keep their resolutions to themselves, with many concerned that friends and family would try to tempt them back into their old ways.

Six out of ten admitted to making the same promise last year. On average, we will have failed in sticking to the same resolution a disappointing four times.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2084095/New-Years-resolutions-Today-day-people-up.html#ixzz1izYrFtvX