Can Knowing Your Personality Type Help You Achieve Weight Loss?
I believe it can. Each of us is unique, and knowing who we truly are—our patterns, habits and quirks—can make sticking to a healthy eating program easier. Knowing your personality “profile” can prove as important as knowing your target goal weight.
Who are you? Take a minute to read the following five descriptions, and determine which category best matches your personality. Are you a Remote Controller, Non-Believer, Flip Flopper, Food Abuser or Almost Achiever? Most of us will fall somewhere in between two groups, but one profile should be a closer fit than the rest. Find the one that best describes you, and read the five corresponding tips for your profile that can help you achieve your weight loss goals.
During the many years I struggled with my weight, I would have best fit the profile of the Food Abuser. Following the tips for my profile not only helped me lose weight quickly, but also helped me keep it off. Identify the appropriate profile for you, and follow the accompanying tips for your specific personality type.
The Remote Controller:
The Remote Controller does a lot of unconscious eating. These people eat while watching TV, driving or working on the computer, never realizing just how many extra calories they’re ingesting. Weight gain happens at a steady pace, and the mind-less eating becomes second nature.
The Remote Controller views exercise as too hard. It’s just not for them. They can’t fathom going to the gym or even finding 15 minutes during which to be active. The Remote Controller doesn’t like to sweat nor does he or she want to put on exercise clothes. They only make the movements required for daily life, but even that is done without much energy. They know they need to change, but they don’t know how to start, and they lack the motivation to learn. The remote controller often needs to lose 40 to 100 pounds (or more).
Tips for the Remote Controller:
1. Eat only at the table.
2. Do not eat while doing other activities like watching TV,
talking on the phone, driving, working, etc.
3. Keep a food log or journal.
4. Exercise. An exercise
program would help accelerate the Remote Controller’s weight loss. If you’re not exercising already, take a 20 – 30 minute walk three or four times a week. If you’re already exercising, add 15 more minutes to your current routine.
The Non-Believer:
The Non-Believer threw out their “skinny jeans” years ago. There might have been a time that they believed they could lose weight, but those days are long gone. They don’t exercise, yet they lead a moderately active lifestyle. Their lack of formal exercise and poor nutrition habits have led them to weight gain. The Non-Believer often needs to lose 30 – 60 pounds but can’t imagine it ever happening for them. They’ve tried dieting without success and are fed up; they are resigned to being eternally overweight.
Tips for the Non-Believer:
1. Believe in yourself; stop the negative self-talk.
2. Keep a journal, and track your meals along with your
progress.
3. Weigh yourself before you begin a weight loss program, and then wait at least until the end of week one to check your progress.
4. Begin a walking program, or incorporate moderate aerobic activity at least three days a week.
The Flip Flopper:
The Flip Flopper lives on a roller coaster ride. They lose weight only for short periods and then gain it back again. They start an exercise program, aiming to finally stick to it, only to have their motivation peter out. They have great intentions, but very little follow-through. They keep “fat pants” and “skinny jeans” in their closet, but never seem to make it into their “skinny jeans” for long. The Flip Flopper does some exercise but never maintains a regular program. They lead a moderately active lifestyle but don’t get enough exercise or stick to a healthy eating plan long enough to lose unwanted pounds. The Flip Flopper typically needs to lose 20 – 40 pounds.
Tips for the Flip Flopper:
1. Keep track of your meals and your progress in a journal.
2. Enlist a friend, family member or colleague to join you on a weight loss program.
3. Partake in physical activity five days a week for a minimum of 30 minutes. If financially feasible, hire a trainer, or exercise with a friend at a set time each day.
4. Weigh yourself before you begin a weight loss program, and then wait until the end of week one to check your progress.
The Food Abuser:
The Food Abuser could easily achieve their goals if only they took control of their diet. Typically poor nutrition habits rather than a lack of exercise keep the extra weight around. The Food Abuser is moderately active but carries extra weight and often needs to lose 20 – 40 pounds. Their active lifestyle is the only thing preventing them from gaining additional weight.
Tips for the Food Abuser:
1. Remove all junk food from your house while you’re trying to lose weight. If you want a special not-so-healthy treat, make a special trip.
2. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to curb junk
food cravings.
3. Keep track of your meals and progress in a journal.
4. Keep snacks to one per day. It may be helpful to move your mid-afternoon snack to post-dinner. Just keep your servings size under control and make healthy selections. Still having trouble with late night eating? Try having a cup of herbal tea after dinner.
The Almost Achiever:
The Almost Achiever’s goal is within reach, but they just can’t seem to do what it takes to get there. No matter how hard they try, they can’t manage to lose those last few pounds. They typically want to lose only 5 – 15 pounds. The Almost Achiever not only leads an active lifestyle, but he or she also exercises regularly. Small changes in their eating habits will help them finally achieve their goal and their perfect weight.
Tips for the Almost Achiever:
1. Track your meals and progress in a journal.
2. If you don’t already have one, find an exercise partner,
and increase current exercise program by 15 minutes per workout.
3. Focus on portion control; since you only need to lose 5 to 10 pounds, simply cutting back on serving sizes can help you achieve your goal in record time.
4. Weigh yourself on a daily basis until you lose the last few pounds.
Once you know your personality type, use that knowledge along with the tips provided to help you on your path to weight loss success.
What’s your personality type? Do you have any tips for staying on track with your weight loss goals? If so, please share them with me!
