Why we cheat on our diet - A study of self control

[jbeany]

Check this out - it explains why we eat more of the things we know we aren't supposed to when we are stressed.

"Too much self-control can overwhelm brain, says U of T researcher
Study shows that self-control is limited resource
Nov 1/07
by News Staff

It may be admirable to try to quit smoking, cut out junk food and hit the gym all at the same time, but new research from the University of Toronto suggests that success is more likely when people tackle one bad habit at a time. Too much self-control, the researchers say, may deplete the brain.


In an innovative brain study that explored the limits of self-control, Michael Inzlicht, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Toronto Scarborough, asked students to watch a disturbing movie. Half were told to suppress their emotions as they watched the film; the other half were free to express their feelings. All participants then performed a well-known test of self-control called the Stroop task. This test requires the taker to look at the words red and green, written in either a red or green font. They then are asked to identify the word's color, and not the word itself. Doing so requires a form of self-control. All the while, electrodes measured participants’ brain wave activity.

On average, the students who had used self-control to suppress their emotions during the movie performed poorly on the second task that tested self-control. Self-control, in other words, is limited. Most interesting, the researchers also noted their participants showed weak activity in the anterior cingulate cortex – a portion of the brain that plays a watchtower role, alerting us when our goals are not being met.

“Self-control is a limited resource that depletes very quickly,” said Inzlicht. “Students who were required to suppress their emotions during the film had limited self-control to draw on for the next task. This shows us that if you set too many goals that require self-control, you overwhelm the brain and this can be a recipe for disaster.”

The study appears in the November issue of Psychological Science."

That explains why I can't seem to keep away from the chocolate and the cheese on the days I spend dealing with my grandmother, who stresses me out immensely.  I spend most of my visits gritting my teeth and biting my tongue when she starts rattling on about something for the umpteenth time.  I use up all my self-control to stop myself from snapping at her, and have none left when I get home and open the fridge.

[Sluff]

It also explains why I am 325lbs. Broke and in debt. Just too overwhelming 

[jbeany]

Makes sense to me, sluff.  Also explains why I pig out after a trip to the doctor, when I should be even more aware of what I'm not supposed to eat.  I've used up all my self-control to keep from slapping him when he says something stupid.   

[CW]

I concur JB

[KT0930]

Very interesting article. It also explains why, even though I've had a transplant and am now allowed to eat all the foods that were off-limits on dialysis, I seem to eat less of them now! (except the diet coke).

[glitter]

Makes sense to me, sluff.  Also explains why I pig out after a trip to the doctor, when I should be even more aware of what I'm not supposed to eat.  I've used up all my self-control to keep from slapping him when he says something stupid.   

that is So the way I feel!and I tend to cheat the worst right after seeing the DR.!!

[Joe Paul]

Ties in with right before and after blood testing for the month 

[Robby712]

Ties in with right before and after blood testing for the month 

lol, I totally thought I was the only one that did that!

[flip]

I tend to pig out sometimes after I get my monthly report card, especially when my phosphorus and potassium are on the lower side of normal.

[twirl]

It also explains why I am 325lbs. Broke and in debt. Just too overwhelming 

you are still the greatest ever

[twirl]

I tend to pig out sometimes after I get my monthly report card, especially when my phosphorus and potassium are on the lower side of normal.

you must hold the magic secret to all this------ you drink and you still have no gain and good lab reports ------- do tell------ secret home brew?

[pelagia]

I am carb-loading while reading this... only because we're out of chocolate.

[okarol]

I am carb-loading while reading this... only because we're out of chocolate.

My favorite exercise - carb-loading 

[twirl]

my favorite exercise              1      2     3     4     hand to mouth        5       6       7       8    hand to mouth
                                                                    REPEAT UNTIL STUFFED