Internal Locus of Control and Fitness

The other day, on television, I saw a commercial for a fat loss supplement called Lipozene.

In the commercial, one of the 'users of the product' claims that fat loss is "just too hard to do on your own."

I am sure that many people can relate to this statement. However, the issue is at hand is of one of my psychological observations and goes along with my previous posting on the Positive Physical-Mental Training Feedback Cycle. Many people claim that they aren't able to train regularly and eat properly when their lives get crazy (holidays, travel, long hours at work, kids, etc). They have lost control of their lives, or at least it feels that way. Hopefully, these events are transient and people can pick up where they left off.

Many people don't bounce back quickly or at all. They feel like they have lost control of their lives and there is nothing they can do about it. The control of their lives is now external to them. Many of these people have trouble sticking to an exercise program and to a proper diet. They get frustrated from the lack of results they experience because they are inconsistent and are constantly starting over.

On the other hand, in the minority, some people appear to be very motivated and do achieve their goals. They train regularly and don't get distracted easily. They are focused. Control of their lives is internalized. They believe that they are in control of their lives and can make changes. They are not destined to end of in a place that they don't want.

Obviously, people with a low internal locus of control would benefit from raising their locus of control. But, how do they do that? Is it even feasible to change? I will try and tackle these questions in part two of Internal Locus of Control and Fitness.