Temptation & Delayed Gratification
Hi, Everyone.
Temptation and Delayed Gratification--
I've been thinking a lot about those 2 issues, in relation to eating. I've been reading an excellent book by Dr. Linda Mintle, Press PAUSE Before You Eat. The subtitle is: Say Good-bye to Mindless Eating and Hello to the Joys of Eating.
Dr. Mintle talks about an experiment, the Marshmallow Test. Perhaps you've heard of it. I would like for you to take a look at a fairly short modern-day Marshmallow Test, with kids as the subjects of the experiment (similar to the old experiment). Here's the link, and I'll comment after you watch. :)
http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=ac28d3679841fb3b7336
That was cute, wasn't it. You know, we live in such a "right now" world, it's very difficult for any of us, young or old, to delay gratification. We want what we want, when we want it, which is usually right now. What if, though, you decided that you would resist temptation--resist the food that would not serve your body well. Could you do it? How would you go about it?
Did you notice the coping techniques used by the children *****sisted the temptation to eat the one marshmallow? Some tempted temptation (sorry) by touching the marshmallow, smelling it, licking it, taking a teeny tiny bite. Some were able to still resist eating the marshmallow after doing that; it spelled "defeat" for others. One little girl pushed the plate as far away from her as she could. Most of the children *****sisted did something we can all do, to resist temptation: practice the art of distraction.
When you are tempted to eat something that will not serve your body well, distract yourself. Get away from that food or get that food out! Go for a walk, call a friend, clean a closet...something other than eat. It's not really even about the food--it's about making the decision to follow your food program or learning to not be controlled by your emotions or your impulses.
Perhaps one fourth of the children in the modern-day Marshmallow Experiment resisted the temptation to eat the one marshmallow, exercising self-control, for the purpose of getting the reward at the end--TWO marshmallows. Of course, your reward would be different.
What would your reward be? Perhaps it would be just knowing you were successful in exercising self-control. Maybe your reward would be the feeling of satisfaction and victory, rather than the frustration and guilt of giving in to the craving (opting for the present gratification, despite the future consequences). Self-control is a step up from willpower. Try it. You just might enjoy the view. :)
Blessings,
Mary :)
Temptation and Delayed Gratification--
I've been thinking a lot about those 2 issues, in relation to eating. I've been reading an excellent book by Dr. Linda Mintle, Press PAUSE Before You Eat. The subtitle is: Say Good-bye to Mindless Eating and Hello to the Joys of Eating.
Dr. Mintle talks about an experiment, the Marshmallow Test. Perhaps you've heard of it. I would like for you to take a look at a fairly short modern-day Marshmallow Test, with kids as the subjects of the experiment (similar to the old experiment). Here's the link, and I'll comment after you watch. :)
http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=ac28d3679841fb3b7336
That was cute, wasn't it. You know, we live in such a "right now" world, it's very difficult for any of us, young or old, to delay gratification. We want what we want, when we want it, which is usually right now. What if, though, you decided that you would resist temptation--resist the food that would not serve your body well. Could you do it? How would you go about it?
Did you notice the coping techniques used by the children *****sisted the temptation to eat the one marshmallow? Some tempted temptation (sorry) by touching the marshmallow, smelling it, licking it, taking a teeny tiny bite. Some were able to still resist eating the marshmallow after doing that; it spelled "defeat" for others. One little girl pushed the plate as far away from her as she could. Most of the children *****sisted did something we can all do, to resist temptation: practice the art of distraction.
When you are tempted to eat something that will not serve your body well, distract yourself. Get away from that food or get that food out! Go for a walk, call a friend, clean a closet...something other than eat. It's not really even about the food--it's about making the decision to follow your food program or learning to not be controlled by your emotions or your impulses.
Perhaps one fourth of the children in the modern-day Marshmallow Experiment resisted the temptation to eat the one marshmallow, exercising self-control, for the purpose of getting the reward at the end--TWO marshmallows. Of course, your reward would be different.
What would your reward be? Perhaps it would be just knowing you were successful in exercising self-control. Maybe your reward would be the feeling of satisfaction and victory, rather than the frustration and guilt of giving in to the craving (opting for the present gratification, despite the future consequences). Self-control is a step up from willpower. Try it. You just might enjoy the view. :)
Blessings,
Mary :)
"Don't tell God how big your storm is; tell your storm how BIG your God is!"
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
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