Table 3.
Overview of the main theme, themes, sub-themes and categories
| Main theme: Searching for dignity | ||
|---|---|---|
| Theme | Sub-Theme | Category |
| Needing to justify avoidance of personal responsibility | Strain and challenges as barriers to change | Grief, loss and identity reactions |
| Strain and life challenges | ||
| Stuck in old habits and deferral | ||
| A constant struggle and negotiation between healthy living and pleasure | Knowledge of healthy living | |
| Recognition of health risk and consequences | ||
| Lack of willpower and relapses | ||
| Expression of personal responsibility | ||
| Feelings of shame, guilt or discouragement affect weight management | Negative feelings related to body image, self-esteem and confidence | |
| Feeling bad about not adhering to the diet or activity plan | ||
| Lack of management in daily life | ||
| A desire to change | Health challenges and the need for improved self-respect trigger change | Personal goals to improve health, fitness, weight loss and better management of everyday life |
| Health challenges, illness and risks | ||
| Pride in self-management | Taking the initiative to change and asking for help | |
| Maintaining new habits and exhibiting willpower | ||
| Hope, self-efficacy and meaningfulness increase motivation | Hope and self-belief | |
| Meaningfulness in life | ||