One of the first questions I have for a new client, when they come to me to help them achieve better fitness, weight loss, or energy, is this:
“What it is that you want to achieve in terms of your fitness?
A close second question is “Why do you want to achieve this?”
This second question always seems to inspire deeper thought. It has always seemed like an important part of the question, to me. This is because I have consistently observed among clients that the answers to these questions have great bearing on their progress toward their goals.
So it is not surprising that during the course of my regular review of the literature on all things health and fitness that a particular study drew my attention.
The Study
The study to which I refer involved gathering information from a field of subjects in 3 different categories:
1) weight loss maintainers (3 years)
2) weight loss regainers
3) stable obese – no weight loss achieved
The goal of the study was to ascertain what factors made the difference between these 3 groups.
What’s different about those who KEPT the weight off from those who regained – from those who never were able to lose weight?
The Primary Focus
This was not an attempt to be an exhaustive study. Rather, the researchers hoped to find some common element among the “maintainers” that would provide valuable feedback as to why these particular were able to more successfully maintain their weight loss than the regainers. Or the “stable obese”.
Health Or Beauty?
They uncovered some interesting – and useful – information regarding the motivation of the “maintainers” and the “regainers”.
What do you think – were the “winners” motivated more by health concerns (medical risks of being overweight) or psychological factors (attractiveness and confidence)?
But….before I tell you the results of their study, I want to know what YOU think made the biggest difference between the “maintainers” and those who didn’t!
Then I’ll post the rest of my article next week.
Tell Me What YOU Think!
I hope you’ll play along with me and I look forward to what YOU think may have, literally, tipped the scales in this study!
Simply click “comments” below and tell what me what you think! What are your thoughts about what may have made the difference between the regainers and the maintainers?
What has been your own observation or experience?
In other words:
1) Why do YOU think that some people are able to sustain weight loss, and others not so well?
2) Do you think more successful losers are motivated by “health” or “beauty”? (as described above)
2) Which factors in weight loss do YOU think should be addressed? (The study I am reviewing examined just some of the factors)
I look forward to hearing what you have to say about the KEYS to maintained weight loss success. The comments link is just below this article.
And then I promise to spill the rest of the beans about the rest of this research study next week!
(P.S. If you haven’t yet registered at this blog to be able to post comments, it’s easy and doesn’t cost a penny. Find the “register” link in the upper righthand corner and a few seconds is all it takes!) Comments will appear after a slight delay)
Hi Lani,
I’m guessing that those who are motivated by “health” tend to be those who keep the weight off! Although I began exercising for beauty I was shocked by the health benefits I received from T-Tapp and came to believe in the necessity to do it for my preventative wellness so strongly that I really hate to miss workouts! ~Kayla
*chuckling* Lani, what fun! You really know how to keep us coming back for more! This is a tough question–but I think beauty/psychological edges out health (but barely). I have so enjoyed shopping for clothes and seeing the transformational changes my body that I would never want to go back. I didn’t have severe health issues (yet) when I was obese, so that might tip the scales for someone. Hmm, on the other hand, my energy and strength has increased exponentially…maybe health is #1. I give up! (maybe it’s both?)
~Charlotte
Charlotte, Kayla, thanks for your comments and conjecture!
It can be tough to isolate the two, once you get to thinking about it – but that is part of the fun of the question, it poses some good self reflection and it’s very interesting to hear your thoughts.
And it poses the question – is energy a health or psychological advantage? Do we have increased energy also as we feel better about ourselves?
Spoken by two who have obviously been in the “maintainers” section, insightful reflections indeed.
Lani
Hi Lani,
I think more successful weight loss succeeders are motivated by health. Avoiding obesity-related health concerns such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, GERD, or lethargy, to name just a few, seems to be more of a motivator to me than having people say how great I look. Of course, I love to hear the nice compliments after I’ve worked so hard to achieve my goal! So, IMHO, the beauty aspect of losing fat and becoming toned, is icing on the cake. I think we all like to look our best and to be able to wear clothes that show off our hard work and make us look attractive – not to mention the exponentially increased self-confidence.
When I was much younger I would go on a diet to lose weight to look good in a bathing suit, jeans, for a special occasion, etc. Now as I’m getting “up there” and know my family history, the importance and imperative of maintaining a normal weight, good and healthy eating habits, and regular excercise, has taken on a whole new dimension in order to avoid conditions and diseases. It’s definitely become a matter of sustaining the best quality of life as long as possible.
To look and feel our best – it’s all good!
Robyn
Robyn,
What interesting reflections – it appears you’ve experiencing multiple motivators! And I appreciate your reflections of how motivations shift over time. It can present somewhat of a “chicken or egg first” question, too.
Thank you for your contribution to the debate!
Lani
First of all, great idea to have the FitDream ezine as a post here; I do think more people will get the email link and be able to still access the great info. Now though I think I gotta copy/paste the great info for future ref, rather than file the ezine!!
I honestly don’t really think there is a pattern, other than the stage of one’s life which necessitates (sp?) the commitment/motivation. I was able to quit smoking for each pregnancy, but after that first cig back at work I would be once again addicted. Until the kids were old enough to tell me they needed me around and to stop smoking, I was unable to make that commitment/find the motivation to fully stop – for me that meant never having another cig. It was the realization that smoking might inhibit my being with my kids and family that was my “turning point” – just as I have reached another point in my life where I WILL find the way for me to be fit, healthy, look good TO ME and be a size that I am comfortable to be for the rest of my life.
I think those that are empowered with knowledge are the ones that succeed. Meaning those of us who get help/advice and motivation from outside ourselves, which in turn motivates our selves. Sorry for so long a post – just don’t think all of our shapes and sizes will fit neatly into a few rounded peg holes, if ya get my drift.
-Paym
As a self described maintainer , I have found that it wasn’t until I was internally motivated by both the external results (beauty, if you will) and health benefits that the lifestyle really stuck. It doesn’t really matter if anyone else tells me I look great…I have to feel and see the benefits for myself. If I had to pick an order of things…I started for beauty but stayed for health. Syb
Paym, your comments underscore what lies at the bottom of it for all of us – emotional connection. Motivation to be around with your kids is high on that list. So you were actually driven by the beauty of being able to enjoy your family, which required health considerations!
And Syb, it sounds like a synergy of the 2 is what you connect with. I love the way you put it – “started for beauty but stayed for health”. And now you exemplify them both and are such an inspiration to others, you have no idea!
I’m really enjoying the thoughts that are being inspired by everyone’s contributions!
Lani
A tremendously thought-provoking post, Lani!
I’ve learned throughout my 25+ year skin care/makeup career, that there’s enormous psychology that comes into play re:how folks see themselves, and how they then choose to care for themselves.
Knowing this component as I do, I would be hard-pressed to choose which category successfully achieves their weight loss goals… one is fear driven and the other ego-driven-and which wins out, I would think, depends upon the priorities of the individual involved in making the decision.
Can’t wait to find out the results!
This one will be a real doozey- I have no doubt!
Thanks for giving us something meaty to chew on…
I’ll eagerly be awaiting your answer.
Keep up the great work-
Your Fan,
Carrie Pierce
http://www.menopauserus.com
Carrie, interesting spin and observations. “Fear” and “ego” tend to have negative connotations – so does that mean motivation may be based on avoiding something? And is “vanity” wrong if it results in more confidence and better health? And is it puritanical to have a desire to look good, thus tainting our association with it?
Meaty, indeed! 🙂
Lani
thaks