Middle Georgians tend to be consistent when it comes to making New Year’s resolutions: they resolutely don’t want to make them.

Through a random sampling of Sunday shoppers, many of those surveyed said they either never made resolutions, or stopped making them.

“We don’t make resolutions,” one teenaged girl said while walking with her parents and sisters. “We don’t have that kind of commitment.”

For the ones that do make resolutions, Middle Georgians consistently said losing weight or becoming healthier is their goal for 2013, though just as many didn’t seem to be optimistic about their chances.

“I’m not making a resolution,” said a woman who would only identify herself as Becky. “I’ve probably made the same resolution my whole adult life (to lose weight), and I may have only done it three years, actually. I’m going to try (to lose weight), but I’m not going to make it a resolution.

Amber Wilson of Juliette appeared to have a similar outlook.

“Usually, I have a health-related or fitness resolution,” she said. “But I gave up on it. It’s better not to disappoint myself.”

According to the website statisticbrain.com, losing weight is listed as the top resolution among Americans, followed by getting organized, saving money, enjoying life, staying fit, learning something new, quitting smoking, helping others achieve their dreams, falling in love, and spending more time with their families.

About 45 percent of Americans usually make resolutions, according to the website, while 38 percent never make them. Only 8 percent usually achieve their resolution, compared with 24 percent who fail. The website said about 75 percent of people who make a resolution stick with it the first week, but only 48 percent stick with it past six months.

Some people surveyed Sunday made resolutions that were a little unique and may have a better chance of success.

For example, Larry and Betty Burk of Byron have made it their resolution to start a new business in 2013. They plan on putting Larry Burk’s 40 years of experience in fixing large appliances such as washers, dryers and refrigerators to create a website that will teach people to fix the appliances on their own.

“We also want to sell instructional videos,” Betty Burk said.

Larry Burk said it’s a more sensible resolution than the common ones such as losing weight.

“When you get into your 60s, you don’t worry about it that much,” he said with a chuckle.

Madison Smith, a nursing student at Gordon College, wants to quit worrying altogether in 2013. Smith, of Griffin, said she’s been stressing out all year about her classes and exams, and would like to have a different attitude in the upcoming year.

“I have a tendency to freak out,” said Smith, who has three semesters left before finishing her degree. “Then everything turns out fine.”

To contact writer Phillip Ramati, call 744-4334.