How to say no to those cookies

It should surprise no one to hear that your health is important. Willpower, however, can be incredibly difficult — even when you’re trying to be disciplined about balanced eating. Bob Davies, a former coach of college football players and an Olympian, recommends being proactive to prevent yourself from a binge you’d regret:

“I was taking a trip from Los Angeles airport to Newark in New Jersey. All I had to eat was what they served on the plane. I had a box of raisins and a bagel, so I was starving. When I got to the hotel, what was driving my behavior? It was the highest level of pain, which was the hunger. So what makes it into my awareness? The mini bar. I walk over to the mini bar, and I see chocolate chip cookies, Oreos, candy bars, and a Rice Krispies and marshmallow square. I binged.

“On my next trip, I had a different dynamic. On that trip, I told five people that I would pay them each $250 if I went into the mini bar. This is called behavioral contracting. This is the solution to the problem that would stop you from using the food management system. You need to have accountability, so make a behavioral contract.”

Read more in Davies’ 2015 Annual Meeting presentation “Excellence starts with your health”

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Written by Matt Pais, MDRT Content Specialist

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