New Year's resolutions: Have you broken them already?

The new year is the most popular time for people around the world to change their lives.

Popular New Year's resolutions include giving up smoking or drinking, doing more exercise or leading a healthier life.

Setting a date for all these changes is a first step. Sticking to those plans is a lot harder.

Are you finding it difficult to comply with your own resolutions? Have you broken them already?

I was given a book on meditation

Anne, UAE/ UK ex-pat

I didn't make any New Year resolutions, but by chance I was given a book on meditation. I followed the techniques and much to my amazement I found I could meditate. As a result I feel far more positive and happier. I would really recommend it. Apparently it also helps with cutting back on booze etc.
Anne, UAE/ UK ex-pat

My New Year's resolution is to live until I'm one hundred and twenty six. I haven't broken the resolution yet and it's currently day 5. I'm doing well.
Peter, England

Andrew Reid (UK) - I'm with you there. My resolution is also to lay off the booze. But it is almost impossible given the social importance placed upon the evil stuff. Given the number of deaths and the burden on the NHS and UK industry caused by drinking, why isn't it regarded in the same way as tobacco and other drugs of abuse? Rather than glamourised and expected as the norm!
Don, UK

I agree with John B, New Year's resolutions are an arbitrary choice and often a waste of time, but I decided on a diet (improved diet, not a "diet") and exercise change during December and what better date to start than Jan 1st - a good post Christmas target - celebrations over and no more temptation to eat ludicrous amounts of food. So far the better diet is holding out, I've done several long walks and I still intend to register with the local gym this weekend.
Craig, UK

A simple formula that works for me regarding New Years Resolutions. Write down your mistakes in the previous year (2000) and any bad habits you may have picked up - aim to improve your life throughout the New year by avoiding your errors of the previous one and you will, I promise be a happier person. Repeat this each year and you will prosper. Happy New Year !
Roderick Swaine, England

It is so hard to give up smoking at the same time as dieting. To combat this join a gym with a friend, get a taxi there early in the morning and go at weekends this will make your body less interested in fags and your lungs feel so good. The difference is amazing but gym for me is the only way I can give up smoking and diet at the same time.
Belinda de Lucy, England

I'm on day 3 of staying off the smokes after a 16-year habit

Michele, LA, USA

I'm on day 3 of staying off the smokes after a 16-year habit. The easiest way for me to cope is to keep very, very busy. You should see my house. It's now spotless and it's highly probable I might even do the gardening next weekend! I find talking about it, constantly, helps too!!
Michele, LA, USA

I promised I would 'come out' and tell all my friends I was gay. It's now day 3 and I've almost done them all... including my entire family. So far it's gone really well but I must admit, it's the most stressful thing I've ever had to do! At 22 years old it's about time too!
Andy, UK

To never give into anything except temptation and to read more Oscar Wilde.
Beth , UK

Well everything for me is 'tomorrow'... So I hope 'tomorrow' I stick to my resolution and do things that need to be done 'today' rather than 'tomorrow'.....
Cyril, Antigua

As a DJ I always miss the hotel breakfast when I'm abroad. I'm determined this year to eat it.
Peter Thorntain, Brighton, UK

Nice resolutions except that you should try to keep them. A lot of humour in the resolutions! Thanks.
Kiganda Hosea, Uganda

I would like scientists to find out the truth about Mad Cow disease

Mathilde, France

For this New Year of 2001, I would like scientists to find out the truth about Mad Cow disease because the economy of many countries is in danger. Secondly, my personal resolution is to pass my exams as I am an apprentice. Happy New Year!
Mathilde, France

My resolution this year was not to drink on week nights and to develop and enjoy my career. What happens first day back at work and I get persuaded to go out for a quick half - four hours later I am staggering home. I am now suffering form a nasty hangover counting the minutes until I can go home. What a failure I am!
Emma, UK

My main resolution is to give up webbrowsing.. Damn.
Alan Knipmeyer, UK

I am persevering in my efforts to stop smoking. I am doing well so far - after seeing the NHS ads on the TV featuring the 34 year old man with lung cancer, I don't even want a cigarette! Good luck to all those trying to beat the habit!
Charlotte, UK

I think New Year's resolutions help us to define areas in our lives that need some improvement. If their only virtue is an admission of our faults, and a wish to improve ourselves, they are worth making even if they only last a few hours.
Faye, USA

Well every New Year I give up smoking! This is the fifth time I have given up, very impressive wouldn't you say! Well this year I actually have given up, because I quit in October! My resolution is to keep up the good work! 86 days down, the rest of my life to go!
Arun, UK

This year I have decided to give up completely.
Gareth Stevenson, UK

I made a New Year's resolution to lay off the booze this year

Andrew Reid, London, UK

I made a New Year's resolution to lay off the booze this year. This is harder than you would imagine. Social life in the UK seems to resolve around getting tipsy on a Friday and if you're not part of it you're made to feel like a leper. We lecture our children not to give in to peer pressure on drugs and smoking yet as a society we adults are the worst offenders!
Andrew Reid, London, UK

To Phil,
Congratulations on your efforts. Your children will be very proud and healthier as a result of your determination.
Catherine, UK

Unsubscribing to all the junk mail in my inbox is my resolution.120 new messages was not a welcome New Year present!
Jasper, Switzerland

My resolution was to save more money

Ben, UK

My resolution was to save more money. So far, I've been to the cinema once, been sale shopping and had two take-outs. Maybe I'll start next week!!!
Ben, UK

I broke my New Year's resolutions yesterday, but aim to keep them at the start of next year!
Brian Barry, UK

No resolutions, nothing to break! Happy New Year to everyone!
Volker, England (ex-Germany)

Chocolate - new record as I managed to break it within 10 seconds. Those coated almonds are delicious!
Mike Bird, UK

I'm just taking things one day at a time

Steve Hodgson, UK

My resolution is to always get to the off licence before it shuts. So far I've managed not to break it - I'm just taking things one day at a time.
Steve Hodgson, UK

I'm starting my drinking less and get-fit campaign next week. It's just not feasible when there's still more drinking to be done.
Beast, UK

I am disappointed with myself. This year I planned to wake up early (I'm self employed), get some serious work done and stop going out for breakfast which costs upwards of £5 each time. No such luck or resolution - instead I've been in bed for two days, ordered pizzas and work? Did I hear someone mention work?
Justin Berkovi, Hove, UK

Three days into the New Year - still no cigarettes

Phil, UK

Three days into the New Year - still no cigarettes. At last I'm breaking an 18 year habit, and I have no intention of failing. My six-year-old daughter asked me to give up last week after she had seen a TV advert about lung cancer. I can think of no better motivation to give up - it's for my children and I don't want to let them down. To anyone else trying to give up, stick with it. One day at a time and you will get there!!!! Good luck
Phil, UK

Yes, by contributing to this. I swore I was going to avoid online debates in an attempt to keep my blood pressure under control!
Robert Pugsley, UK

I don't bother with New Year resolutions. They're a total waste of time. If I want to change something in my life I change it - the calendar has nothing to do with it.
John B, UK

I resolved years ago to not make any more New Year's resolutions

Mark, UK/ Netherlands

If the only reason you have for giving something up is that it's the New Year then you're already off to a bad start. You need to want to give something up for a real reason if you're going to do it. I resolved years ago to not make any more New Year's resolutions, and I've stuck to it!
Mark, UK/ Netherlands

I have vowed to give up smoking and so far I have succeeded. The recipe for this is simple. I say to myself, "Just for today I won't smoke". One day at a time is the key.
Lee, UK

Getting into work before 10am is my resolution. Finding it tough going though - been in at 10:15 both mornings so far (on flexitime 10:00am is the latest possible time for us to be in).
Matt, Ireland