Being tempted to eat, binge eat, or overeat is a struggle for many people. Resisting temptation is one of the hardest things in life -- especially if you've developed a habit of succumbing to your food cravings.
The payoff of eating too much could be temporary fulfillment, or another satisfying step towards self-destruction. Sometimes, eating constantly is about avoiding life, emotions, or personal growth.
This psychology research shows why it's so hard to stop being tempted to eat – and how to resist temptation.
Resisting Temptation - a Psychology Study
Researchers from Duke University, the University of Southern California, and the University of Pennsylvania found that asking college students about their vices actually causes them to succumb to temptation. "We demonstrate that asking consumers to report their expectations regarding how often they will perform a vice behavior increases the incidence of these behaviors."
The more you think about being tempted to eat constantly, the more you will eat. Resisting temptation and losing weight is more likely when you don't think about resisting temptation and losing weight!
It's a self-fulfilling prophecy: the study participants thought they'd succumb to temptation, so they did. They couldn't resist temptation because of their thought processes.
Resisting the Temptation to Shop
Regarding purchasing power, these researchers found that even seemingly kind or harmless questions about advertised products lowers consumers' will. That is, even a few gentle questions leads people to purchase products they wouldn't normally buy . This makes resisting temptation difficult! The more shoppers talk about the product, the more they give into their desires and the less they resist temptation.
These results were especially evident in people with low self-control. The lower your self-control, the more trouble you'll have resisting temptation.
It works the same way with being tempted to eat constantly: the more you talk about resisting the temptation to eat, the more tempted you are to eat, binge, or overeat. To stick to your weight loss program, you need to focus not on what you're tempted to eat, but on what you want to gain (I mean lose -- as in weight loss!).
Why Do You Give in to Temptation? What Are the Benefits of Resisting Temptation?
Succumbing to the temptation to eat constantly offers a payoff -- or you wouldn't do it. Resisting the temptation to eat a whole bag of Doritos and ignore your weight loss program is less satisfying than giving in to the temptation to eat and eat and eat. Resisting the temptation to eat a whole bag of Oreos isn't as satisfying as eating the cookies because giving in to temptation allows you avoid feelings of sadness, disappointment, or loss.
Resisting the temptation to binge eat every night may not be as rewarding as finding other, healthy things to do. Overeating may help you forget your childhood, deal with pain, or repress feelings of guilt or shame. Resisting the temptation to eat just isn't as satisfying as giving in because eating allows you to focus on feeding your hunger, not dealing with the emotional turmoil within.
There's a reason behind every action you take. Even if you can't or refuse to see the reason you're tempted to eat constantly…it's there. So, when you're struggling with the temptation to eat, look into your soul and see the reward of resisting temptation.
How Can You Resist the Temptation to Cheat on Your Weight Loss Plan?
If your thoughts can work against you by causing you to overeat or binge eat, then they can certainly work for you and help you stick to a weight loss plan.
The Law of Attraction – also known as The Secret – holds that what you think about will come to be. So, if you think about not eating chocolate chip cookies, not eating a bag of Doritos, not having second or third helpings, then guess what? You'll eat and eat and eat. Resisting the temptation to eat will be almost impossible.
Resisting temptation is easier when you focus on what you want. If you want to lose weight, focus on how great you'll feel, how much more energy you'll have, and how your life will improve.
How to Stop Being Tempted to Eat Constantly
Change what you think about. Instead of thinking about not eating chocolate chip cookies, focus on eating fresh fruit or veggies, or going out for a walk or run. Instead of focusing on your food cravings, think about other ways to spend your time. Instead of thinking about being tempted to eat those cinnamon buns, think about your weight loss goals or life plans.
Reward yourself. Give yourself healthy, fun treats like going to the beach or watching a funny play or performance. Take an afternoon off work or treat yourself to a manicure or pedicure.
Resisting temptation to eat by planning ahead.If you know you frantically wolf down the whole bag of Doritos after a visit with your sister, then make sure there aren't any Doritos around when she leaves. Plan ahead to stop being tempted to eat constantly. Plan a visit with a friend, a refreshing swim or a power yoga class right after her visit. If you always surf the internet after your partner goes to bed, set yourself up with the latest bestseller and a bubble bath.
Resisting temptation is about going easy on yourself. If you fall off your weight loss plan, be accepting and compassionate. You're doing the best you can!
If you enjoyed Tempted to Eat Constantly? Resisting Temptation, read Help - My Weight Loss Program Doesn't Work! 10 Weight Loss Tips.
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen - Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a full-time writer and blogger in Vancouver, BC, and the creator of the Quips and Tips blog series.
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