Although the actual date is somewhat up for debate, many in the industry peg the second Friday in January as “Quitter’s Day,” or the day when most people give up on their New Year’s resolutions. We shared some tips on our blog last week on how you can work to keep your health-focused New Year’s resolutions, and we recommend reading up on that advice because sticking by your resolutions won’t happen by accident. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at Quitter’s Day and why so few people stick with their New Year’s resolutions.

Quitter’s Day And New Year’s Resolutions Facts

Many in the health world mark the second Friday in January as Quitter’s Day, and while many people do abandon their resolutions by this day, others hold out a little bit longer. A recent study took a closer look at New Year’s resolutions and our ability to adhere to the goals we set for ourselves by asking 999 people if they set a goal for themselves in January. A total of 815 people said that they set at least one goal for themselves, suggesting that most people do in fact set New Year’s resolutions.

However, for many, those best laid plans go awry pretty quickly. Researchers found that 32.2% of people stopped pursuing their goals in January, and that number jumped to 63.5% by the end of February. By June, only 6.5% of people were still committed to the goals they set for the New Year.

One bright spot from the study was that people who were committed to health and wellness goals tended to fare better than those who set other types of goals for themselves. People who set fitness-related goals were the most likely to stick with their goals long term, as 9.6% were still pursuing their goals by the end of June. That’s still a small number, but it’s nearly double the average across all resolutions, and that’s a start.

So what are some of the most common types of New Year’s resolutions that people set for themselves in the New Year? According to a 2024 Statistica study, the five most common New Year’s resolutions were:

1. Save more money (21%)
2. Eat healthier (19%)
3. Exercise more (17%)
4. Lose weight (15%)
5. Spend more time with family or friends (14%)

We hope that you can push through Quitter’s Day and keep your New Year’s resolutions on track, and be sure to check out these tips if you want some additional assistance developing healthy habits that will stick. We want you to become the healthiest version of yourself in 2025, and sticking to your New Year’s resolutions can certainly help with that.

Wishing you all a wonderful 2025! ~ Dr. Lance Silverman

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Prioritizing Your Foot Health In The New Year

If you want to increase your likelihood of having strong and healthy feet this year, consider doing these five things for your foot health in 2023.

1. Exercise More – While it’s true that exercise will place more strain on your feet, it’s important to remember that your body and its structures rely on this controlled strain to become stronger and to function optimally. Resolve to move more and to strengthen your feet through exercise in the new year, just be sure to slowly increase your activity load so that you aren’t at risk for an overstress injury.

2. Check Your Shoes – Ill-fitting shoes are one of the most common causes of foot issues and injuries, so pay special attention to your footwear in the new year. Make it a point to prioritize comfort over style when it comes to your footwear, and if your shoes are still lacking support, consider adding an orthotic insert for an added layer of protection. Shoes that are too tight or those with a narrow toe box can greatly increase your risk of bunions.

3. Daily Care – It’s not uncommon for us to go weeks or longer without really taking a close look at our feet, and we can end up missing the signs and symptoms of a problem while it’s in an early and highly treatable stage. Resolve to conduct daily foot checks this year. Give your feet a quick 30-second exam every time you step in the shower or before you crawl in bed at night. This little extra attention can go a long way in helping you catch foot issues before they snowball.

4. Get Your Physical – A yearly physical is great for your foot health and your whole body. These yearly checkups allow your doctor to look for signs of an issue, or they provide an opportunity to talk with your doctor about any discomfort or symptoms you’re experiencing. Make sure that you sign up for your yearly physical in 2023.

5. Never Ignore Symptoms – Finally, one of the best ways we can help keep our feet healthy is by caring for them at the first sign of an issue. If you’re experiencing a new pain in your foot or have noticed a new bump or sore, care for the area instead of ignoring it and hoping it goes away on its own. Oftentimes you can resolve these minor foot issues in days or weeks with proactive care, whereas ignoring them can lead to years of prolonged foot pain. Make it a point to care for your feet at the first sign of a problem this year.

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New Year’s Resolutions For Your Feet

Here are five things you can do to help protect your feet in the new year.

1. Change Your Shoes – Unless you got new shoes for Christmas, you’re probably going to want to take a closer look at your shoe selection this year. Whether your everyday shoes are worn down or your running shoes have seen better days, consider upgrading to a more stable and comfortable shoe. You take millions of steps in your shoes over their lifetime, make sure they are protecting your feet!

2. Exercise – Controlled exercise is great for your feet. Not only does it help to strengthen muscle groups and pump oxygenated blood to your extremities, but it can also help you keep weight off, which takes stress off your feet. Be a little more committed to your exercise regimen this year, and your feet will thank you for it.

3. Begin A Foot-Focused Hobby – Aside from exercise like running or weight training, consider taking up an activity this year that helps to improve your feet health. Activities like yoga, Tai Chi or karate help to improve your balance and strengthen key areas of your feet. Challenge yourself to find a hobby that helps to strengthen your feet without it feeling like regular exercise.

4. Fall Proof Your Home – Falls are some of the most common ways senior citizens suffer serious injuries, so consider helping fall proof your home or your parent’s home if they could use it. Consider removing rugs, adding handles in the bathroom, switching to a walk in bathtubs and installing railings alongside every staircase, no matter how long the staircase. Also, try to make sure their driveway is free of ice or snow that could lead to a fall. This is easier said than done, but it’s worth it to help prevent a nasty fall.

5. See A Foot Specialist – Finally, if you’ve been having issues with one or both of your feet, even if it seems minor in nature, make it a point to set up an appointment with a foot specialist in your area. The sooner problems are taken care of, the easier they are to fully treat. You don’t need to deal with foot pain or numbness throughout the year, visit Dr. Silverman’s office and have the issue treated today.

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New Years Foot Goals

If you want your feet to be happy and healthy this year, keep these five tips in mind.

1. Exercise – Exercise puts stress on your feet, but it also strengthens muscles and helps to improve your balance. Don’t overdo it or you may increase your risk for injury, but moderate-intensity exercise 3-5 times a week can do wonders for your overall foot health.

2. Extracurricular Activities – Aside from concentrated exercise, also consider picking up a foot-related hobby or adding a foot health-related goal to your calendar this year. Join a yoga class or commit to running a half marathon. Yoga helps to improve your balance, which can prevent falls, and running a marathon can strengthen your feet while helping you cross new things off your bucket list.

3. Shoe Choice – Protect your feet in 2018 by only buying shoes that are comfortable, supportive and the correct size. Don’t squeeze your feet into a closed toe option or force your feet to stand in heels for hours on end. Wearing the right sized shoes that support your arch can help prevent against a number of foot conditions, like bunions, corns, plantar fasciitis and ingrown toenails.

4. Pamper Them – Every so often, treat your feet to some rest and relaxation. Go get a foot massage, or soak them in warm water and give them a good scrub. Your feet take thousands of steps each and every day, so pamper them every once in a while.

5. Daily Cleaning – You don’t need to do a deep cleaning on your feet every day, but perform so daily check and strive to keep them clean and dry. Look for the development of rashes, sores or moles, and check your nail beds for signs of an infection. When cutting your nails, avoid cutting them below the white part of the nail bed and cut them straight across. Rounding the edges of your nails can lead to ingrown toenails. Make it a point to scrub your feet every time you get in the shower to remove any grime or dirt.

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