Table 2.

Characteristics of the constructed groups

Group/main categories	Current situation	Promoters	Barriers	Goal setting	Training of mindfulness and acceptance	Self-reported healthy actions
G1: Stuck with barriers (n = 3)	Partly clarified values Realization that their own well-being has been neglected Life is good right now	Pleasant activities	Worries about coping Cannot do things by themselves Inefficiency Chocolate Their own obesity Other people’s comments about weight	Promises to exercise Self-development in small steps Recovery from surgery	Realizing that one is not always present in everyday life No statements about implementing exercises in everyday life	-
G2: Slowly forward (n = 4)	Values stated clearly Clarification of wishes Realizing that weight loss requires actions	-	Fear, feelings of insecurity, and difficulty of change Negative feelings about themselves Exhaustion and fatigue Being stuck Something else in life takes away resources	Changes in the future (afterwards) Investment in the everyday things (e.g., washing dishes daily) Small goals toward better life	Practicing mindfulness – the skill of being present Realizing that you can get a new perspective on your thoughts and feelings Exercises evoked negative emotions For some, acceptance is hard; for others, feelings of achievable acceptance	Paying attention to oneself More exercise Better eating with small changes
G3: Reflective and hardworking (n = 7)	Values stated clearly Clarification of wishes Realizing that own actions contradict own values Need for more exercise and better eating Current situation is okay	Pleasant activities Support from others Meaningful job Positive attitude	Negative feelings about themselves Difficulty to start Struggling with food Other people and situations in life take away resources	Possibly more exercising Possibly better eating Concrete goals to exercise more Concrete goals to eat better Weight control Improving oneself	Practicing mindfulness – being present in everyday life By doing exercises – a more positive way of thinking Awareness about themselves and their own actions increased Self-acceptance Acceptance is hard for some For some, no need for acceptance	Better eating and drinking More exercise Weight loss Improving as a person More time for family
G4: Convincingly forward with the help of concrete goals (n = 3)	Wishes and values clearly stated	-	Sporadic barriers: Disbelief in oneself Getting started is difficult Something else in life takes away resources	Concrete goals to increase exercise Concrete goals to eat better Concrete goals to have more time for family Concrete goals to improve oneself	Realizing that contact with the present moment is sometimes difficult Practicing contact with present moment in everyday life Exercises have helped to clear thoughts Realizing that attitude matters Self-acceptance	More exercise Succeeding and exceeding oneself