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Can You Trick Yourself Into Losing Weight?

Want to shed some pounds? Test what you know about everyday behaviors that may be sabotaging your weight-loss efforts

Matt McMillen and Michelle Crouch

En español

Published May 25, 2021

10 Questions

85f357fe-3298-4b98-ba43-35000c0ba041

Can You Trick Yourself Into Losing Weight?

[ {
  "question" : "To help rein in your appetite, how should you start a meal?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "With a low-calorie soup ",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "With salad",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "With a glass of water",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "With a glass of red wine",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "A Penn State study found that when people ate a low-calorie soup before a meal they consumed 20 percent fewer overall calories.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "Don't like what you see on the scale? Make small changes to begin shaving off those pounds.",
  "questionImgCredit" : "Getty Images"
}, {
  "question" : "What is the best way to stay motivated to exercise?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Set a daily reminder on your phone",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Make a standing date to exercise with a friend",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "Do short bursts of exercise when you can squeeze it in",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Weigh yourself every day",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "You can easily talk yourself out of a workout, but it’s more difficult to do when you have a standing commitment to work out with a friend.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "What’s the most effective way to curb your desire to snack?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Portion your snack in the kitchen",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Eat a healthy snack (e.g., an apple) before you grab some chips",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Down a glass of water before digging in",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Eat with your nondominant hand",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "That’s according to a study from the University of Southern California.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "True or false: The best way to start losing weight is to make one small change to your current eating habits.",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "True",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "False",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Experts say the most successful dieters make only one or two minor changes at a time.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "You’re at a party eyeing the bountiful spread. How do you avoid overstuffing yourself?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Fill half your plate with vegetables",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Focus on family and friends",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Sit down",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "All of the above",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Socializing with the other guests will help reduce your urge to graze, and if you fill your plate with vegetables, there will be less space for unhealthy options. If you sit down, you’ll be much less likely to get back up for a second helping.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "What is the best type of goal to set if you’re trying to stay motivated to lose weight?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Aim to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Aim to lose 3 to 5 pounds a week, depending on your starting weight",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Set behavioral goals, such as keeping a food log or walking 20 minutes a day",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "Set a goal weight (and post it in a prominent location)",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Research shows you’re more likely to lose weight if you set small behavioral goals rather than focusing on the number on the scale.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "What does research show is the most effective diet for losing weight?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Atkins or another low-carb diet",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Low-fat diet",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Mediterranean diet",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "All of them can be effective",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "An analysis of different diets published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that none was significantly better than the others. Instead, success correlated with how motivated people were to stick with the program of their choice.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Which of these has been shown to be an effective way to reduce how much you eat at meals?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Drink a glass of water before you start",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Use a smaller plate",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Limit distractions",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "All of the above",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "A review of 72 studies published by the UK’s Cochrane Library found that those who used smaller plates and bowls ate smaller portions and significantly reduced calorie intake. Other studies have found that drinking water first and turning off devices and television while eating are also effective in helping people to eat less.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "According to a study, taking smaller bites can reduce how much you eat by about what percent?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "10 percent",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "20 percent",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "25 percent",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "30 percent",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "The study published in PLOS ONE found that people who took smaller sips of tomato soup ate about 30 percent less than those who gulped down their soup.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Adding which nutrient to your food can help you feel fuller?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Fiber",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "Vitamin D",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Amino acids",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Calcium",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Fiber provides bulk and may increase digestion time.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
} ]

Quiz Progress

0 Correct

0 Incorrect