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We have already learned how biological and physiological factors influence weight loss. From your genetics and metabolism to your hormones, everything plays a specific role in your weight loss journey.
But do you know psychology also plays as much role as these two when it comes to your weight? Yes, a healthy weight loss involves making long-lasting changes to your mindset and behavior.
It's known as a "theory of attitude-behavior consistency". It suggests that the beliefs we have encourage us in certain ways to make different food choices.
This is because of our attitude which is based on our beliefs and influences our personal triggers and how we think about those triggers. In short, it affects what we think and what we do.
Let's take an example here;
Jack is having dinner at a restaurant to celebrate his friend's birthday. He is dedicated to his goals and he ordered as he planned in advance - a good lentil soup.
But all the other friends insisted on having pizza on this special occasion. After a few minutes, the server arrived with pizza. Everyone started to take a slice of pizza, Jack didn't want to feel left out.
So, he also took a small slice. Everyone takes another slice. and Jack also didn't hesitate to look at the situation and go for the next slice. At the time his soup arrived, he had already taken 2-3 slices of pizza. Now he is all guilty, that his plan has gone to waste.
Why did you think that happened? Were there any hormones involved? or did Jack's genetics tell him to make that choice?
No, that was his attitude depending upon his beliefs which made him do that.
Trigger: All of Jack's friends were eating pizza.
Thought: Everyone is eating that pizza, I don't want to feel left out.
Action: Jack decides to accompany his friends, and have a small slice of pizza, but ends up having another one and then another.
Consequence: Jack is all guilty of ruining his hard work and planning for a healthy meal.
No matter how dedicated, and prepared Jack was, he couldn't do anything against his own beliefs and thoughts. According to the attitude-behavior consistency theory, Jack picked up that slice of pizza because of the strong belief he developed over time. What were those beliefs?
Jack believes he can't control himself around that pizza.
Jack believes he cannot stick to what he has planned for.
Jack believes he is destined to eat fun foods and gain weight.
Jack believes he will be left out if he doesn't eat that.
Jack believes others will not accept his healthy food choices.
Jack believes he can sacrifice his hard work and planned meal over his friend's choice.
Now it's time for you to put yourself in Jack's shoes. Think of the times when you have all planned for your meals but suddenly that plan fell through - just like Jack's slice of pizza.
You have tried your best to stick to your plan, and you have done everything to avoid any unhealthy food choices but something took over. What could it be?
It's your core beliefs. the beliefs that you make over time, the beliefs that make you change your food choices that you tend to stick to.
Now go back to those times, and dig deep. Did you just avoid going to the place you want to, just because you believe people will judge you? Did you just miss your workout today because you believe that you cannot change your body no matter how much effort you put in? Did you just eat something even if you don't like that, just to accompany your friend or partner?
Well, that's all the core beliefs that messed up your attitude and can determine your behavior and actions. But don't worry we know the ways through which you can crush your thought distortions and come out of these traps of beliefs.
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