An antecedent is a "preceding event, condition or cause." Antecedents for weight loss are those factors in life that either motivate you to lose weight for a good reason or obstruct your weight-loss efforts. Some events are beyond our control such as genetics or a medical condition that makes it difficult to lose weight. Other antecedents are more psychological. The desire to feel healthier is a much better motivation for weight loss than fitting into a size 2 dress. Before you embark on a weight-loss journey, examine the emotions, events and conditions that underlie your desire to slim down.
Nature vs. Nuture
A popular area of research is trying to identify a "fat" gene, which is a gene that could be blamed for weight gain, inability to shed excess pounds and familial obesity. While it is certainly true that heredity influences metabolism and weight gain, geneticists think that less than half of weight related issues are encoded in your genome. Just as important as genetics is the environment in which you were raised and the culture with which you currently surround yourself. For instance, if your parents believed in healthful eating and regular exercise, it will be easier for you in adulthood to embrace healthy habits. Conversely, if someone close to you continually obsesses over becoming thin, you might find it difficult to have a healthful self-image.
Motivation
How many people vow to lose weight on New Year's Day and give up on the goal a few days later? In contrast, fitness magazines carry stories of highly motivated individuals who shed hundreds of pounds through will power. What makes the difference between these two groups of people? Before you begin your weight loss journey, examine your mental antecedents to shedding pounds. For instance, do you feel like you have to lose weight to please someone else or do you want to lose weight to feel better about yourself and improve your health? Do you berate yourself when you makes mistakes, or can you easily get back on track if you choose donuts over granola in a moment of weakness? The right motivation for weight loss will make all the difference in your overall success or failure.
Introspection
Before you begin a weight-loss program, take some time for introspection. Consider the messages your family and friends send you about health and appearance. Is this your first diet, or are you a serial dieter? If you have yo-yoed in the past, what will make this diet different? Is this a crash diet to look good for a wedding or reunion, or are you committed to a life of good health? Do you have a support system to give you encouragement through the difficult patches in your weight loss? Becoming well-acquainted with your feelings about weight loss is a very important antecedent to success.
Make a Plan
Talk with your physician about your weight loss goals and ask him to help you make a reasonable plan for a nutritious diet and regular exercise that you can stick to long term. If you feel that you have a lot of emotional obstacles to successful weight loss, it might be wise to speak with a psychologist or counselor to work through these issues. Another antecedent to successful weight loss is a support system. Ask a friend or family member to join you on your journey.
Member Comments