Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Cavemen Never Went on Diets

I know it's funny to even think of a caveman or cavewoman worrying about his or her figure. Back then it was survival - eat what you can find. Contrast that with today where most of us don't have to struggle to find food. It's as near as your 7-11 or gas station. And that's the rub. Accessibility has taken us far from our roots. Of course, social standards of size hasn't helped us either.

Back then cavemen didn't have to practice the skill of resistance. We do. Studies are showing that practicing a little resistance can end up with big rewards. In one study the authors found that in situations when self-control is repeatedly tested, a defense strategy that works for a first temptation can be used to tackle the next. Let's say that when you go to McDonald's you're tempted to have fries with your hamburger. You decide that you will resist the temptation and just have the hamburger. You finish your lunch and head back to work. You're proud of yourself for having resisted the fries. According to the study results, the next time you head to McDonald's you'll more easily be able to resist the fries because you were successful the last time.

This philosophy holds true, as well, for trying to decrease your intake of fat. Every time you eat something with a little less fat, it becomes that much easier to eat something else that has less fat. In fact, in time your taste buds and tongue won't even enjoy greasy foods. You will have lost some of the "need" for fat. The same holds true for sugar. Put a little less sugar in your coffee each day and you'll see that one day you may even be drinking your coffee without sugar.
Believe it or not, even though the saying goes "you can't teach an old dog new tricks", it isn't so. You can change as long as you want to change.

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