Reflection: What are the Payoffs?
We don’t do anything when there isn’t a payoff. What are the rewards for overeating and living an unhealthy life? Especially when we know it’s harmful and will shorten our lifespan?
Immediate Satisfaction – Reflecting on the various factors that have lead me to my current body-state, I know I experience immediate satisfaction when I gorge on a Quarter Pounder and Fries (greasy food -clearly my weakness). And after the binge, I feel like complete crap. There’s just no better way to describe it. I’m angry with myself for eating food that I know to be unhealthy and just plain awful for my body, my temple, this thing that has to get me through many more years. And yet, this desire for immediate satisfaction is enough to cloud my thinking just long enough to pull through that drive-through and place my order and eat every last fry even the super crunchy little ones at the bottom of the bag.
Freedom – I also recognize that another payoff for me is that without boundaries, by definition of the word, I have the freedom to do whatever I want – eat whatever I want with no thought to calories or portions or quality. It’s easier. It not only tolerates but encourages my laziness. I exhibit this laissez-faire attitude because no one is going to come between ME and what I want! And exercise? Whatever! So not my thing.
So, what are your rewards for remaining unhealthy? Don’t go for the easy ones, really think. Without reflection, we cannot change. Without understanding why we behave the way we do, we cannot change.
HAH! My boyfriend and I are ALWAYS complaining about our weight and feeling tired (as in those carb comas that kick in after eating bad-for-you food). Then we go indulge ourselves in more bad-for-you food (we just can’t figure out why we’re getting tubby!!!)
I went to the doctors a few months ago and found out my cholesterol was getting out of whack. So I had to exercise (the for real kind) and eat more fruits and veggies. I started taking fish-oil pills (the not-smell-bad kind) and within 6 weeks I’d lost weight, felt better and got my good and bad cholesterol levels back on track.
A few months later though, and I’m embracing my bad habits like the prodigal son. I’ve eaten out four nights in a row, put on some of the weight that I lost, and am tired all the time (and of course I drink caffeinated sodas to help with THAT!)
So Merry Christmas to me: my rewards for remaining unhealthy is a vicious cycle of eating sugary, processed foods to get the fix for whatever I’m craving, and then more sugary, processed foods to give me a sugar buzz from being tired from the preceding meal. I’m clogging my arteries, treating my heart pretty poorly, and oh by the way could you pass me the remote? I’m not working out tonight; my shows are on!!!