The Graphite Blog

Posted by: Michelle Meyers

What’s your attitude when it comes to getting in shape and being healthy?  Is it a good one?  Or do you diet and exercise under the “kicking and screaming all the way” category?
Turns out that the way you approach managing your health has lots to do with your success rate.

No surprise there. But now there’s proof. Behavioral researchers at MicroMass Communications have identified a Metabolic Mindset™ that could be the key to helping physicians, nurses and other healthcare educators successfully influence patients with type 2 diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol to adopt healthier lifestyle changes such as losing weight, eating better, getting more exercise, and giving up cigarettes.

So what mindset do you have?

Here are the four types of metabolic patients, their percentage of the total study population, and suggested ways of motivating each:

Cruise Control - 19 percent
These patients follow their doctors' orders and manage their conditions pretty well, but may not understand the seriousness of their disease or the value of treating it by changes in behavior.  This makes them vulnerable to backsliding.  Strong and repeated reinforcement is a must, using self-assessment tools that concretely demonstrate the benefits of behavior change.

Taking Charge - 30 percent

These patients know the risks of unhealthy behavior and actively avoid them.  They don't require intense investment or intervention by their physicians.  Healthcare providers should engage these patients as advocates and invite them to share their expertise with other patients.



Disengaged - 20 percent

This group is highly susceptible to setbacks because they feel that improving their condition is beyond their control.  Healthcare providers should applaud each small success with these patients and allow them to choose which behaviors to work on, one at a time.  They should also plan for relapses.



Overwhelmed - 31 percent

These patients want to change but don't know how to start.  It's important to raise their self-confidence by doling out information in easy-to-digest bites, creating step-by-step action plans focused on small goals, and acknowledging their successes.

No matter what personality type you are when it comes to managing your health, seeking help and monitoring your progress is key.  If you want to get started with an easy-to-use monitoring system, check out mygraphite.com, featuring an award winning diet journal and exercise tracking solution.

You can read more about the Micromass Communications study here.

You can check your own Micromass Metabolic Mindset™ by clicking here.

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