Impulsive People Weigh More

I am probably one of the most impulsive persons on this planet so when I read that impulsive people tend to weigh, compared to cautious people,  22 pounds more on average, my cerebral light bulb flashed on. I weigh, unfortunately, more than 22 pounds over my very deliberate-thinking friend who is ultra-slender. And it’s due to my impulsive behavior?

Well, yes, according to a recent study published in AARP magazine. Impulsive behavior is defined as the ‘inability to resist temptation’ so it makes sense that, since I am the impulsive type, that I can’t resist the temptation of delicious food. My need for instant gratification, for wanting things now and not tomorrow is reflected throughout my life- in my paltry bank account, my accumulation of ‘stuff’, so why not on my hips and around my waist?

So, am I doomed to a lifetime of obesity because I have an impulsive personality and lack discipline? No, I can change- either on my own or with professional help, according to Jillon Vander Wal, associate professor of clinical psychology at St. Louis University. “The key is for people to know they’re impulsive and decide if they like it or not. They can take steps to gain control”, she commented.

Losing weight means eating a healthy diet and exercising routinely. Both of these require commitment and restraint, traits that are lacking in the impulsive person. Being impulsive is rather complex and there are numerous reasons behind impulsivity.

Some people love the fun of being impulsive and really see no reason to restrain themselves. They can easily live with the ‘buy now, pay later’ lifestyle. For others, the impulsive behavior is a result of stress or depression and other factors that impair self-discipline. If you are impulsive and it is affecting your health, your emotions and your life overall, you can seek professional help.

Ms. Vander Wal states, “Impulses are hard to control. You can reduce it by restructuring environments.” Some suggestions she has for restructuring your eating environment include:

• Don’t eat family style. Fill your plate in the kitchen and bring it to the table.
• When in a restaurant, order portion sizes and have the wait staff box up the remainder so you aren’t tempted to eat it.

Here are a few more suggestions for living a healthy lifestyle in spite of having being impulsive.

• Don’t go to buffets.
• Buy food packaged in portion sizes.
• Don’t put it off- exercise first thing in the morning.

In my own struggles with being impulsive, I have found that if I can control just one part of my life, like my eating or my impulsive buying, I seem to gain the power of self-control in other areas of my life. So, if you are overweight because you have an impulsive personality, all is not lost. Work on one area of your life and you will strengthen your self-control. You can change!

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