A new Cal Poly study reveals the secret about how people lose weight and keep it off.
The steps include persevering despite setbacks, regularly looking back at what life was like before the weight loss, and remaining focused on health.
In the current study, the team examined more than 6,000 participants who had lost more than 50 pounds on average and kept it off for more than three years.
They found that these weight-loss maintainers have strong motivation when they are facing setbacks.
They saw setbacks as part of their successful journey.
Setbacks were not described as failures. They were seen as a temporary interruption in the path.
Many weight-loss maintainers described getting back on track at the next meal or the next day and measuring overall success based on long-term goals.
The study revealed additional insights into the motivations behind losing weight and keeping it off.
Participants often mentioned such health issues as diabetes and heart conditions.
Others cited concerns about mobility, appearance, suggestions from family or friends and the need for change because they often felt tired.
Participants offered advice to others going through their own health and weight-loss journey. Many said that perseverance was essential in overcoming the inevitable setbacks.
These weight-loss maintainers also described consistently tracking food intake as an essential skill within a healthy lifestyle.
The study also demonstrated that weight-loss maintainers
- Remain motivated to maintain the weight loss mostly by health and appearance, as well as reflecting on past experiences
- Believe that the most important changes include reduced pain, medical status, confidence, feeling more at ease and comfortable mentally and physically, fitness and body image
- Describe the consequences of successful weight loss as challenges related to the cost of buying new clothes, unexpected criticism from others, sagging skin, and the effort needed to keep up a healthy lifestyle.
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The study was conducted by Suzanne Phelan et al., and published in Obesity.
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