Adherence
Longer duration of weight loss maintenance is associated with a significant decrease in the perceived effort and attention required to maintain weight, while the pleasure derived from maintenance behaviors remains constant, resulting in a more favorable effort-to-pleasure ratio.
If you are struggling with the mental load of dieting, recognize that this is likely a phase. The data suggests that as you maintain your weight loss for years, the behaviors become habitual and require less conscious effort. Do not interpret current high effort as a sign that you are failing; it is a sign that you are in the transition to automaticity. Focus on consistency to allow the habit to form.
Subjects who had maintained weight losses longer used fewer weight maintenance strategies and reported that less effort was required to diet and maintain weight and that less attention was required to maintain weight. The pleasure derived from exercise, low-fat eating, and maintaining weight was unrelated to duration of weight loss maintenance.
Why this rating
Large sample size (N=931) and rigorous control for demographics/weight, but cross-sectional design prevents causal inference regarding the passage of time.
Source
Does Weight Loss Maintenance Become Easier Over Time?
Mary Lou Klem et al. · Obesity Research · 2000
DOI 10.1038/oby.2000.54
Related findings · Adherence
- Regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity) reduces all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by 20-30% and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by 25-35%.Strong
- Increasing physical activity from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one in middle adulthood significantly reduces the risk of coronary events compared to remaining sedentary.Strong
- Resistance exercise is the only intervention capable of consistently restoring muscle function and strength in sarcopenia, partially overcoming age-related anabolic resistance.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →