Many times it’s difficult to resist behavior you know is bad. When it comes to weight loss, willpower can be at an all-time low for some people. They can find it impossible to resist that chocolate doughnut or a high calorie meal. Could their life improve if they had more self-control? Is there a way to change their behavior? According to Miriam Hospital’s Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, with a little practice, a person can easily increase and intensify their self-control.
There were two studies conducted at Miriam Hospital’s Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, and the conclusions can be found in an article published in the Journal of Obesity Research and Clinical Practice.
The researchers discovered that people who had a high level of willpower lost more weight, were more physically active, ate less calories from fat and attended weight loss group meetings more often. This was also observed in people who had a rise in their self-control during a six-month weight loss program.
During the first study 40 people were involved in a six month behavioral weight loss program. This program involved weekly sessions held by exercise physiologists, dietitians and behavioral psychologists. Everyone involved in the study was presented with a low-fat, reduced calorie diet, a prescription for physical activity and taught behavior change strategies.
To detect any increase in self-control, participants were given a handgrip test. It is designed to measure the time a person can hold and squeeze a handgrip. As the study participants do this, they experience discomfort such as pain and cramping. Their goal was to squeeze the grip at a certain level for as long as they could.
The second study increased on the first study’s results. It analyzed if changed levels of willpower were connected to following treatment and positive weight loss outcomes. It consisted of twenty-three people, also participating in a six-month weight loss program. During the second study, self-control was measured at the beginning of the program and at the end.
They results of the two studies showed that in both programs, people who demonstrated greater will power had a 10 percent higher weight loss than those who demonstrated less self-control. People in the second study who had an increase in willpower during the program, experienced higher weight loss, were more physically active and had a better diet by the end of the program.
In the article published in the Journal Obesity Research and Clinical Practice, Tricia M. Leahey, Ph.D. is quoted as saying “Of course it makes sense that if you have more ‘willpower’ you’ll do better in a weight loss program; however, this phenomena is surprisingly understudied. Our study is the first to examine whether practicing acts of self-control during weight loss is linked to an increase in self-control and better weight loss outcomes.”
Source
Journal Obesity Research and Clinical Practice Article
OTHER ARTICLES BY THE AUTHOR
Best Diet Plans
Most Vegetarian Friendly Cities in the United States
Benefits of Fluoride
