weight loss and reward systems

Had a patient tell me yesterday that she rewards herself at every 5 pound weight loss increment by buying herself an extra pearl that goes on a bracelet. I loved that concept...she is striving for a bracelet full of these pearls but will only allow herself one pearl at a time based on her weight loss success.

We, as humans, are driven by reward systems. Least you doubt that, look at how much more motivation we have to achieve benchmark results at work if a money bonus is based on reaching certain goals. Unfortunately, we have often used food as reward systems...have a hard day? grab a few drinks to relax. Difficult week? go out to a very large dinner. Think about how we reward our children..."if you are good, I will get you ice cream..."

Learning how to reward ourselves and others with non-caloric reward systems is an important step in gaining control of our individual and collective weight problems.

Another issue: article in the Washington Post today about childhood obesity perhaps turning the corner. Several professional opinions in the article about this not being the case, i.e. the problem seems to be getting worse.

Non-caloric shows of affection and caring

I constantly ask my patients around holiday times or significant milestones such as birthdays what type of presents they get. Inevitably, the gifts usually involve some type of high caloric food sources...I have never heard of a birthday treadmill, birthday bicycle or birthday gym membership. However, birthday CAKE is assured.

Think of that concept...providing an obviously overweight person with high caloric food sources as a show of love, caring and affection. Would you give an obvious alcoholic a bottle of Jack Daniels as a show of love? Would you give a heroin fix and a needle to a drug addict as sign of how much you care? The answer to these questions is a resounding "NO!", so, let's get back to the overweight friend or family member. Why would you give them calories as a recognition? Especially if that overweight person has diabetes, hypertension or some other sequelae of his/her obesity...you are hastening their early death.

So the point here is that you can show someone you love that you care lots about them without giving them food sources. Be cognizant of the overweight person's need for not being tempted...and if you give that person a wonderfully smelling, beautiful birthday cake, there is little chance that person will not eat at least some of it.