Taking off the pounds -- and keeping them off -- can be a challenge. Take our quiz now to assess whether you're ready to lose weight. For each item, click on the statement that best describes your feelings.
1. Do you have a reason for wanting to lose weight? I know why I want to lose weight at this time. I don't have specific reasons for losing weight; I just believe that I should. I haven't thought about specific reasons for losing weight.
2. Do you think you can achieve your weight goals? I feel in control of whether I achieve the weight I desire. At times, I do not feel in control of whether I achieve the weight I desire. I never feel in control of whether I achieve the weight I desire.
3. How do you best describe your dieting process? I think that losing weight will take time and will not always be easy. I think it is possible to shed my unwanted weight quickly, without problems. I have not thought in detail about the dieting process.
4. How do you view your relationship with food? I enjoy the foods I choose to eat. I feel like I'm cheating if I enjoy food too much. I do not enjoy food.
5. What are your attitudes toward exercise? I know how I will incorporate exercise into my life (or have already done it). I know that I should be physically active, but am unsure how to incorporate it into my life. I have not thought about my exercise plan.
6. How would you describe your feelings about yourself? Overall, I like myself. I do not have many positive feelings about myself. Overall, I do not really like myself.
7. Do you have a support system in place to help you achieve your goals? I have a good support system of friends, family, and/or professional help that I can talk to about my weight issues. There are a few people in my life that support me in my weight-loss efforts, but I wish I had more. I don't feel there is anyone I can talk to about my weight-loss concerns and goals.
8. Do you feel that your life is "in order"? My work and personal lives are stable enough for me to make my weight management goals a high priority. Because of my work and personal lives, it is often difficult to make weight management a priority. My work and personal lives make it seem impossible to focus on weight management now.
9. How will you track your weight loss progress? I will keep a record of my progress toward my weight-management goals. I'm not sure if keeping a record is really necessary. I'm not interested in keeping a record of my progress toward my weight management goals.
10. How committed are you? I can reach a healthier weight and maintain it. I hope to reach a healthier weight, but feel I could fail. I privately doubt that I can reach and maintain a healthier weight.
Source: Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 1998.