Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Day 103 Self Fulfilling Prophecies
I had an interesting IM conversation with a friend today. Pam and I used to work together at my old law firm and I came to know and love Pam dearly. I had just begun my journey like two weeks before I departed the old firm. Pam had gotten caught up in my whirlwind and decided she too wanted to get fit and eat better, so she started doing a modified version of I want to say the flat belly diet. So during our IM conversation yesterday, Pam conceded our competition to me saying I win. I asked her why she would say that and she said I cheated on my diet. I said so, I had a bad Saturday and I am right back on track. She replied with I will probably cheat tomorrow to. I have been cheating a lot. So I called her out on a self fulfilling prophecy. So as I was driving home last night, I was thinking how that term is generally used with a negative connotation. But here is the thing. I am about to be the benefactor of a self fulfilling prophecy. Knowing that Thanksgiving is just right around the corner and knowing that my new November 30 goal is important to me, I came up with a plan. I am going to not only limit myself to 500 calories extra on Turkey Day, but I am going to take those 4 days off work and use them to over exercise to the tune of making myself get 20 miles walked those four days. Then it dawned on me that this will be a self fulfilling prophecy, only one that is good. I guess that is all a fancy way to say that planning is key, and planning well is the key to success. If you don't foresee a problem and make a plan, such as when I saw Thanksgiving as a hurdle in my quest for 230 by November 30 and decided how to handle that, then you are leaving yourself open to creating a situation in which you are prone to making mistakes. And I sometimes wonder if people like my friend like that opening. If it isn't built in on purpose, to allow them to fail. Have ya'll ever had that happen? I am positive I have done it subconsciously. I would bet my house on it. I have 'dieted' a lot in my years but somehow always came off for various reasons. I don't recall specifics, but I am betting I created situations that enabled me to slip and stay off the wagon. Well no more! I am a wagon riding fool, and good luck getting me off of it!!
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Hmmm, I don't know. I mean, you're kind of talking about "The Power of Positive Thinking" and while I think that's important, I don't think that merely WANTING positive things to happen means that it will really happen. I mean, I can say that I'm going to win the lotto, but will I? If I say it a LOT, will my chances increase? That being said, being positive and channeling positivity in your life is always good, so bring it on, Shane!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that Pam felt that she had to give up the quest for a healthy body and a healthy lifestyle. It's too bad that she didn't see it as an actual lifestyle change, and merely a "diet" that she can either be on or off.
I don't think it's "the power of positive thinking". It's all about planning and KNOWING what you are going to do. It's not about hoping or giving it your best shot. If you tell yourself that you are only going to eat a 500 calorie meal on Thanksgiving, then clearly you won't be eating buttered dinner rolls, candied sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie AND apple pie. You know what amount of food will yield a 500 calorie meal. If you have a plan, you are WAY more likely to stick to the plan. You might indulge a bit but most likely you won't indulge so much that you eat 1500 calories. Your friend has already PLANNED to screw up, so in all likely hood, she will. We're not going to get skinny by just hoping!
ReplyDeleteThink there is room for my big butt on that wagon of yours? Yours seems very stable!
I agree!! We choose the path we take. By planning we are taking the path that leads to health!!
ReplyDeleteHonestly without planning i'd have a lot harder time to stay on my journey.
I think it is great that you have a plan to conquer Thanksgiving. I have a plan too. Usually I cook, and while I can know what is being served I am also left with days of left overs. This year, my family and I are going out of town and will eat at a restaurant on Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving will be one meal...no leftovers! I think this will work for me!
ReplyDeleteI am so worried about Thanksgiving! Maybe I should just use my allowed calories on booze and pass out and sleep all day so I can avoid the food!!
ReplyDeleteI reread this and done some thinking...I think that is the ticket: The Plan. I am seeing in my own travels that the more I am planless the more I "cheat", meaning eat over my allotted calorie amount. If you plan ahead to exercise to pad your holiday intake and also give yourself a set number to budget NOW instead of waiting until shotgun and you're staring down the table of all the holiday yummies unable to think rationally and about your plan.
ReplyDeleteAlso...Bethanny's idea might be plan B....;P
My plan for Thanksgiving: No seconds, no leftovers for another meal. Give the leftovers to the guests, then throw out the rest.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard the idea of the self-fulfilling prophecy turned on it's head before, and used as a positive tool. Great concept! And I totally agree... just the fact that you are going in with a plan, and are choosing victory instead of leaving the door open to "maybe".... well, if had to place a bet, I'd totally bet on your being a winner on Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteLoretta
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