It kind of makes sense if you think about it. A credit card is abstract. All we have to do is swipe it, no matter if it is $5 or $5000. We get the bill at the end of the month and THAT is when we have to pay. Have you ever thought that, just like your credit card habits, not paying any attention and being present for your meals may create the same effect of consuming more?
Haven't you ever been at a movie and eaten a whole bag of popcorn, without even knowing it? All you had to do was reach your hand in the bag, and insert it into your mouth. You never had to pay attention.
In a study subjects that watched TV for an hour ended up eating 28 percent more popcorn than those who watched it for only half an hour.
What about eating lunch while reading the newspaper or listening to a radio program? You reach your destination and realize that you ate the whole family size bag of chips and your sandwich!
In another study, people who listened to a lunchtime radio mystery ate 15% more than those who didn't.
When we engage in behavior without our attention, we unconsciously produce unsatisfactory results.
When you pay for a purchase with cash, you have to count the bills and make sure that you hand it off right. You observe whether the cashier gives you the correct change.
You are excited because you are purchasing something that you can inhabit this very moment.
When you are present for a meal or snack your brain is taking note of every mouthful. You can feel the sensation of the food, and even remember and recall it later. You do not have to weigh your food or count calories, because your body naturally takes note.
You derive satisfaction from the process of eating, which is the reason why your body wants to do it in the first place.
Putting things off or ignoring them until later is not only going to catch up with you in the long run, it also is downright weird!
Spending money and eating food is fun and pleasurable. Why not pay attention to the joy of it? When you do pay attention in the here and now, you get results naturally.
Nat
