Motivation and Weight Loss...Is There a Connection?

Many of us are motivated with the coming of a new year.  We make resolutions year after year but it seems as if those resolutions fall to the wayside by the time March comes around.  When it comes to weight loss, does motivation have anything to do with your success?  In February 2010, researchers from the University of Kentucky and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill looked at the connection between motivation levels of individuals participating in a 16-week weight loss program.  The researchers looked at two types of motivation, autonomous and controlled.  Autonomous motivation is the type of motivation that comes from the individual participating in the program.  Controlled motivation came from the researchers in the form of phone calls, emails, internet support, etc.  Motivation levels were assessed at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16.

According to this study, more than half of the participants lost 5% of their initial body weight at the end of the 16 weeks.  What was more interesting is the participants who were determined to have a higher level of autonomous motivation at week 4 were the individuals who lost 5% of their weight by the end of the study.  What does that mean?  When your motivation level decreases, especially between 4 and 8 weeks, weight loss success can decrease.  During this time frame, the researchers determined that increasing "controlled" motivation (i.e., social support, phone calls, emails) can benefit the person attempting to lose weight.

So how does this help you?  While we say kudos to you for losing weight on your own, sometimes it is helpful to have extra support.  That support can come in many ways from joining a weight loss program, seeking community support through meetings or internet groups, or enlisting the help and support of family and friends.  Again, according to this research study, this support can be especially important during your 2nd and 3rd month of weight loss.  Why try to do it on your own??  Support from family, friends, co-workers, and others attempting to lose weight is very beneficial.  Your own motivation levels will change so it's helpful to have a little extra support.

PROMATx Health Club has that support you are looking for when attempting to lose weight.  First, make an appointment to talk with our nutrition specialist.  From there, the two of you can decide how much support you will need.  We want you to be successful with your weight loss endeavors.  It shouldn't be a vicious cycle of gaining and losing weight.  Make the lifestyle changes today to make a healthier you tomorrow.  Call us today or stop by...we are here to help!!