LONDON, December 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Taking better photos, selling unwanted things on eBay and making time to read the Sunday papers are three of the biggest aims for Brits in 2013

New technology and life's modern pressures mean over 60% of us no longer make traditional New Year's resolutions - instead we're promising to reduce the stressful aspects of our life to create a better work-life balance.

Whilst Brits are still making traditional health and fitness related resolutions,with losing weight the third biggest aim,the results unveiled a host of new goals people are forming to help manage the pressures of a 'modern life'.

The research, commissioned by private gym chain LA fitness, found that quitting smoking and drinking less were predictable features, but more modern day New Year's resolutions included reducing the amount of time spent on social networking sites and simply leaving work on time more often.

The dwindling number of smokers and the fact that a large percentage of people are on year-round diets has sounded the death knell for the age-old resolutions we all once vowed to stick to - 75 per cent no longer make a traditional resolution.

Other modern resolutions include upgrading our car, topping up our wardrobe regularly and making more time for friends and family.

Many of the resolutions in the survey revolve around making our quality of life better and reducing stress levels with 23% of people saying they're planning to go travelling, nearly half (41%) want to save money and nearly half (45%) intend to read more books and buy a Sunday newspaper (11%) in 2013.

Technology plays a huge part too, with people pledging to cut the amount of times they text people, and even slashing the number of friends they have on Facebook and planning to use Ebay to sell unwanted items.

Yesterday, Tony Orme, Marketing Director at LA fitness said: ''The traditional resolutions we're used to hearing or even making ourselves are less prominent this year.It's clear that the majority of people are really feeling the pressures of a hectic lifestyle so are now trying to focus on making more time for themselves, their friends and family.

"But it's important to remember that taking time to exercise and eating a balanced, healthy diet not only give you more energy, but they also help to manage stress levels."

The trend in long-term targets for the New Year, rather than typical resolutions comes after seven in 10 people say they feel the old resolutions are a waste of time and never stuck to.  The average person will break their New Year's resolution in just under five weeks. Two thirds said their approach to 2013 is to make gradual improvements without 'putting a name on it' or setting unrealistic targets.

The biggest celebrity inspiration for women comes in the figure of 1. Cheryl Cole, followed by
2. Holly Willoughby and 3. Kelly Brook.  Men seek to emulate 1. Daniel Craig, beating 2. David Beckham and 3. David Haye to the top spot of inspiring physiques for guys.

LA fitness has launched its New Year Health Resolutions Campaign across its 80 private health clubs,with a half price membership offer for those signing up in January for 2013. check out  http://www.lafitness.co.uk   - at midnight on 31st December 2012.

TOP 40 RESOLUTIONS FOR 2013

1. Read more books
2. Save more money
3. Lose weight
4. Re-decorate
5. Take better photos
6. I want to go travelling
7. I want to sell old stuff I don't need on EBay
8. Buy a tablet
9. Organise photos: either get them printed, and/or delete poor ones, save good pics
10. Do something for charity
11. Spend more time with kids
12. Buy a Sunday paper
13. Less TV time
14. Connect my computer to my TV
15. Leave work on time more often
16. Less time on Facebook
17. Totally revamp my wardrobe
18. Try a new hairstyle
19. Get a six pack
20. Eat less chocolate
21. Socialise more in real life rather than Facebook
22. Drink less alcohol
23. Buy less coffee from Starbucks/ big chains
24. Start my own business
25. Tell someone I have feelings for them
26. Quit smoking
27. Gain a promotion
28. Learn how to use Twitter
29. Run a half marathon or full marathon
30. Call people more than text
31. Cut someone out of my life who isn't good for me
32. Meet online contacts in real life
33. Watch less reality TV
34. Text people less
35. I want to try to save my relationship
36. Try extreme sports
37. Get better at social networking
38. Stop contacting/ going back to an ex-partner
39. Have a face to face with my boss to find out where I stand
40. Do a bungee jump