Health Behavior and Weight Loss Motivation

5 Motivation Myths Debunked

Finding the will power to eat right, exercise, and lose weight requires letting go of some common misconceptions about goal setting, failure, and social support
By Hollis Templeton fitbie
 

White Lies of Weight Loss

5 Motivation Myths Debunked // women working out at the gym © Thinkstock
Image: Thinkstock

Calories in, calories out—in theory, losing weight should be that simple. But we’re going to venture a guess that the reason two thirds of Americans are classified as overweight or obese isn’t because they can’t do basic math. Age, genetics, hormones, and the big one—a lack of will power—better explain the disconnect between wanting to lose weight and actually doing it.

In fact, while 84% of people claim they’re trying to take better care of their health today than just a few years ago, 59% of people reported they don't have the will power to change their habits, according to a recent survey by The Futures Company. Lack of will power is the number one barrier preventing Americans from living healthier lifestyles, ranking higher than a lack of money, time, desire, and a perceived lack of need, according to the survey.

So what’s the secret to propelling yourself from an “ah-ha” moment to reaching a healthy weight? It’s all about the day-to-day. Focusing on lifestyle changes, heeding the right how-to advice, and finding support from a group of like-minded peers will help you stay on track better than if you focused on the impetus (a scary obesity poster in the subway) or the end result (fitting into your skinny jeans again).

Here, we sift through motivation research and enlist the help of Andy Core, an exercise physiologist, motivational speaker, and author of the forthcoming book Why Don’t I Do What I Know That I Should?, to muddle through five motivation misconceptions—and provide the help you need to stay on track.

MORE: 10 Secrets of Happy Women

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