Those who focus on healthy eating and living often see greater long-term success than those focused on weight loss.

That’s according to Tara Antle, a nutritionist and owner of Healthy Balance.

She says it’s common for people to want to make changes to their lifestyle and eating habits at the beginning of the calendar year, but people can also set themselves up for failure.

Antle says studies have shown that there is an overwhelming failure rate among those focused on a number on the scale rather than lifestyle changes focused on health, well-being and energy levels. People who make changes based on their health and how they feel saw success rates in the 80 per cent range. Some of the study participants were able to maintain those positive lifestyle changes for decades, she says.