Flipping the weight loss “switch”

Frames, according to linguistics and cognitive science pioneer George Lakoff, are “mental structures that shape the way we see the world.” To a large extent, frames depend on language. Trying to change means trying to change how people think, i.e., change their framing, which then ultimately determines how “facts” are processed.

Correct knowlege or information has to be processed first according to how they fit our frames, which in turn is really a “synaptic structure” wired into our brains. If the facts do not fit what’s already in there, they will not be heard much less absorbed or be the catalyst for instituting change.

The framing itself has to be changed, before behavioral changes can succeed. In addition, the very quality and quantity of the proposed change has a profound effect on whether the transformation occurs. Dean Ornish, in his work with cardiac patients, found that paradoxically, dramatic and comprehensive changes can be easier for people than gradual, incremental changes. The reason is that gradual changes often do not result in significant improvement, while sweeping changes can result in clearly beneficial changes (i.e., dramatically ‘feeling better,” which becomes a very effective reinforcement of behavior).

People who make moderate changes, according to Ornish, get the worst of both worlds in that they still feel deprived and hungry (and perhaps irritable) because they are not eating what they want, and they also are not getting the full blown benefits in terms of weight reduction or cholesterol and pressure reductions. The paradox is that sometimes big dramatic changes can be easier (and more effective) than small and gradual changes.

But it all goes back to how the anticipated change is “framed” by the individual. The confound is that other issues, such as feelings of self-efficacy, self-esteem, social support, and stress all play into how malleable and open we are to positive change.

The path to permanent weight loss starts with paying attention to the “why,” before we even focus on the “how.”