Marshmallow Anyone?

 Today one of my co-workers told me about the Stanford marshmallow experiment (don't break out the hot chocolate) and I've reflected on that study a few times today. Basically each child was offered a marshmallow but was told that if they could resist eating it for 15 minutes they would receive two instead of one. The purpose of the study was to understand when the control of "deferred gratification" develops in children. The part of the study that has had me thinking all day is the follow-up analysis. In a nutshell, those who exhibited deferred gratification were more competent and had higher standardized test scores as adolescents. "A 2011 study of the same participants indicates that the characteristic remains with the person for life."

Why did this interest me? Because for the past few days people have asked me about quick fixes for weight loss and I keep coming back to the same response: there is no quick fix. Instant gratification is just that, instant. Once the instant is done, so is the gratification. What I need people to really "get" and understand is that no matter what method you use for instant weight loss, your gratification is only temporary unless you change your diet and exercise behaviors. This is coming from a woman who had weight-loss surgery. I've known persons who had liposuction and who pop B12 pills/shots and HGH shots only to gain back whatever weight they've lost. Had I not made an effort to change my behaviors I don't know that I would feel as vivacious, strong, and ready to take on any challenge that comes my way. The behavior changes didn't just effect my weight, they effected how I live my life. Friends of mine have also had surgery and have lost the weight, but their lifestyles really have not changed. The only difference is that they are smaller versions of themselves. For some, that may be enough, but for us marshmallow defferers (yes, I made up a word) that is simply not enough.

If you are serious about changing your life and becoming healthier, then don't seek the instant gratification. When you step up to the starting line for this journey I want you to understand that the "win" is not the finish line, but rather in how well you travel along. Some may sprint out ahead of you and lose 20 lbs, but look around two months later and see if they have kept that off and if they are still losing. You are winning when you learn to navigate efficiently along the course. What do I mean by that? 

You are winning when you begin to see food as fuel and not this evil/Divine thing; it is amoral and has only the value we give it. You are winning when you can put off the instant gratification in order to bring your vision to fruition. You are winning when you use the other methods (surgery, supplements, wrapping, etc) as tools rather then "fixes." You are winning when you exercise because you're worth it and not because you hate how you look. You are winning when you enjoy the journey and exhibit grace with yourself because you know that you're in this for the long haul, not just some sprint to fit into a pair of jeans.

That is not to say that we should not have goals. On the contrary. Goals are milestones that confirm that we're moving in the right direction. Reaching goals gives us the momentum to keep moving forward, to keep practicing healthy behaviors. Those behavioral changes do not happen overnight. I've been at this seriously for about 16 months and with each day I have my "Es," "Ss," and "Ps"--for you non-kindergarten parents that's "Excellent," "Satisfactory," and "Progressing." I tell my team all the time, the goal is not perfection but rather consistency. When you are consistent in delaying gratification and practicing healthy behaviors, the reward is weight loss, increased stamina, increased strength and overall health. You will then notice that you view yourself differently; you begin to understand that YOU are worth the wait. YOU are worth the journey.