Weight Loss Management and Personal Responsibility

The first step in weight loss is to make the decision that you are ready to do it. And you are ready to begin today -- right now -- from this point forward -- until you have achieved your goal. Planning to begin tomorrow, the first of the year, or on your birthday is likely the beginning of the end of your decision to lose weight.

I can say this because I have been there -- and it wasn't very long ago. I had been "thinking about" taking control of my health and my lifestyle choices that would result in weight loss for a long time. I thought about it every day and every day I would say to myself, "I'll start tomorrow morning." Hundreds of days passed by with no changes made on my part.

Then, just weeks ago, I made the decision to take control of my life and my weight, beginning that very moment. You can do it, too.

Weight loss management sounds official and perhaps difficult, but it really isn't. What will be difficult to varying degrees for each individual is the development of new, healthier habits and lifestyle choices and unlearning the older, unhealthy habits that got you to this point in the first place.

The good news is that for most individuals, regularly repeated actions and choices become habits within four to six weeks. You and I, we just have to get through the first 42 days before our new choices become automatic responses.

Weight loss is based on a simple equation: Take in fewer calories than you expend in physical activity. Please note, I am saying the way to lose weight is a simple equation. I am not going to pretend that the actual actions required to meet that equation will be easy.

It will be tough at times, especially at first. But one of the attributes of human behavior is that we value that which comes to us through effort, and effort will be needed for you to reach your goal.

Social psychology theory uses a term called "locus of control." This term differentiates between an internal locus of control and an external locus of control. People with an internal locus of control feel that they are in charge of their lives and life situations; by contrast, people with an external locus of control feel as if they have little to do or say that affects their lives but rather forces outside of them are in control of their lives and life situations.

In a study that determined the difference in adherence to treatment for high blood pressure, it was observed that people with an internal locus of control more closely adhered to the prescribed treatment regimen than did people with an external locus of control. I believe these observations translate also into weight loss management.

It stands to reason that if I believe I am in control of what happens to me, I also believe I am the one who has to do whatever is necessary to change my overweight or obesity status. I am the one who is in charge of, and responsible for, the state of my health.

I don't believe this to mean that people with an external locus of control cannot manage their weight, I believe it will take more mental effort for such people to remain motivated to do so.

Weight loss is never an easy proposition. The lifestyle choices and changes that must be made and maintained to initiate weight loss and sustain a healthy weight. Internal or external locus of control -- it can be achieved by everyone.

The motivation to become healthier through lifestyle changes in foods eaten, portion control and other choices to be made must come from within yourself. The motivation to become healthier through lifestyle changes that include more physical activity must come from within yourself.