This was a link I found on CNN to an Oprah.com article. I thought it was an interesting way to consider how weight loss maintainers are wired, aside from how they eat or what exercise they do. I thought others may find it interesting too!

http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/perso...ead/index.html

Very interesting article. I am certainly not in the "B" quadrant, but it is not surprising to me that based on what I know about Robin, she seems to fit very well into that category. Thanks for sharing it, CC.

I thought the same thing about Robin, Laurie! (That's a good thing, Robin!) I'm definitely an "A" quadrant person. I can overthink anything anytime anywhere to the point of frustration for me and everyone around me! And the part about thinking so much you don't take action? Oh yeah, that is me in a tidy nutshell.

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I loved this article - thanks for sharing. I find cognitive science fascinating. I am a Q-D, for sure. But I know I can "stretch my brain."

Very interesting! I'd love to read her paper.

What an interestisng article! I have some B characteristics, with some A and some D thrown in too. I'll just have to encourage the B quadrant.

Boy you guys know me well. Yeah, I'm pretty much the "B" type and I do consider myself fortunate in that fact. I do have some "D" type stuff thrown into the mix as well.

I do think that even if you're not by nature the "B" type person, you can indeed train yourself to be that way to a certain extent.

Interesting article. Thanks CC. I think I will share it with the Mainters Forum, many of whom are members of the NWCR.

I'm the Anti-B I'm more of an A person.

I am currently registering with the NWCR! (they want before/after pics and I had to get some printed). I thought the article was very interesting, I am definitely a planner that doesn't mind counting calories everyday!

I posted this in the maintainer's discussion too...

I'd be interested in finding the original sources for these studies. Interesting stuff, but of course I have lots of questions... while I do think people differ in terms of how organized or spontaneous or emotional they are, I'm often disturbed when it's framed in terms of "left" and "right" brain. I'm pretty certain if we ask a neuroscientist they would tell us the brain doesn't really work in such stark left/right fashion.

And I wonder how the 2 studies fit together. It would seem the people from the first study who were the most successful (the controlled, methodical, sticklers from group "B") are NOT like the successful people from the second study who were open to dramatic changes in their lives. They sound more like "D" people...

Finally, getting more at the categories they discuss from the first study, you could probably guess from the above that I am probably more "A" than anything else Though not with regard to "working with machinery"...

I think I am an A, but I do have some B stuff.
For example: I like things done methodically, and yes I can write down every step of the way, so to say. I've done the plan, and the 21 day challenge by Red on this forum really helped in forming this 3 week habit back then.
By the way the process takes a bit longer for some people than 3 weeks, and that's the key. While you are trying to achive 3 full weeks, usually 4-6 weeks pass by and therefore when you make it a habit it sure to stick.

I'm kind of a blend between c&d. My DH is A. Where I leap first think later, he thinks first, second, third until the time to leap has long since passed.

I'll have to try some of the ideas for expanding my "b-zone". I am working on developing a routine for the gym and I have become fanatical about journaling every bit of food I eat.

Wyllen - That's why it's called a Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument. I'm no neuroscientist but the brain doesn't work hemispherically alone - unless there's brain damage. I didn't read the paper as two different sets of subjects but a common thread among the participants found in two different studies. For instance, the example subject that went to Africa was obviously B brained enough to stick to a diet that a chef designed for him but opened to the big change that compelled him to change his life.

What I found amazing is how this opened up areas completely unrelated to weight loss. Wow... now that I think about it more - is there failure attached to being fat that prevents people from succeeding in other areas? From demanding to deserve more out of life? Interesting idea.

From the article:
Rofl! I alphabetized my spices last week.

Never before in my life have I felt that urge to alphabetize my spices.

I rearranged a lot of stuff (don't have closets) two weeks ago. I organized my filing three weeks ago.

And I have a huge living room sort/reorganization in the works!

Halp! I'm an A turning into a B!


I'd be more intrigued if they administered the Myers-Briggs. This quadrant business smells kind of slippery to me.

I loved that article. It (yet again) reinforced my DH's opinion...can we say B? I love having a set plan, knowing what I need to do to progress, and what's coming up next...all the way to the end goal.

I think that's why this time is different for me (weight-loss-wise). I know what I'm doing, what I need to do, and I'm accountable to (A) my tickers, (B) the website I used to track calories, and (C) myself, most importantly.