Medical Edge Newspaper Column

Planning and Self-Control Skills for Successful Weight Loss

June 11, 2007
Readers:
It's one of those weight loss, exercise and health improvement truisms: it all comes down to willpower. But counting on willpower alone to make a change is inviting failure. According to the Mayo Clinic Health Letter, planning and self-control skills can help make healthy behavior changes. Here are a few examples of the contrast:

Dessert splurge
Willpower: I'll make a cheesecake for others in the house but I won't eat it.
Self-control: I won't make a cheesecake, but I can have a slice when I dine out.

Smoking cessation
Willpower: I'll stop cold turkey.
Self-control: Before I stop, I'll talk to my doctor about ways to ease withdrawal.

Dining out
Willpower: We'll go to the buffet, but I'll just have salad.
Self-control: We'll go to a restaurant that offers small portions and low-fat or vegetarian items.

Self-control is one step. But many factors impact why we do what we do — or don't do. Discarding an unhealthy behavior, or adopting a healthy one, is a tough challenge and often takes from three to 30 attempts. Ask your doctor for recommendations to help you make needed changes.