Being a better person and weight loss share the top spot as the most popular New Year's resolution for 2018, according to a Marist Poll.Among Americans who plan to make a resolution, 12 percent report they want to be a better person, and the same proportion (12%) say they want to lose weight.Exercising more, eating healthier, and getting a better job each garners 9 percent.Seven percent want to improve their overall health.Six percent of U.S. residents want to quit smoking.Another 6 percent plan to spend less and save more money.Thirty percent mention another resolution altogether.Resolutions differed by age groups. The most cited resolutions among those under the age of 45 are being a better person (13%) and getting a better job (12%).Among older resolution makers, weight loss (16%) edges out exercising more (13%), being a better person (12%), improving one's health (11%) and healthier eating (10%).There was also a gender split. While being a better person (17%) is the leading New Year's resolution among men, weight loss (15%) is the top resolution among women.How many Americans actually follow through? Among those who say they made a resolution for 2017, 68 percent said they kept at least part of their promise.
Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images
Being a better person and weight loss share the top spot as the most popular New Year's resolution for 2018, according to a Marist Poll.
