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When we were talking to the clerk about how to care for the fish, she told us, âBe sure not to overfeed your fish. Just two pellets.â
When we read the little instruction book that came with the bowl, it said, âDo not overfeed your fish.â On the bottle of fish food, it said, âDO NOT OVERFEED.â So it seems clear to me that people have a real tendency to overfeed their fish.
Which got me thinking â why is it so fun to feed animals, birds, people? Even when itâs not such a good idea.
People feed pigeons, bears, and zoo animals, even though itâs not good for the animals or the environment. I know the feeling. Growing up in Kansas City, my sister and I loved to feed the ducks in Loose Park.
Thereâs just something deeply satisfying about it.
I wonder if thatâs why so many people seem to have the drive to urge other people to eat, too.
In writing Better Than Before, my book about habit change (which you can order here: buy early, buy often!), the issue of eating habits came up over and over.
In talking about their attempts to have healthier eating habits, people often told me that an important person in their life made this aim more difficult.
âMy grandmother gets insulted if I donât take seconds or thirds.â
âMy friend said, âBut I baked it especially for you!â even though she knew I was trying to give up sweets.â
âI told my wife that I canât have chips in the house, but she says we have to have those foods, for the kids.â
âEveryone at the table was ordering dessert, and they wouldnât let it go until I ordered some, too.â
I think thereâs a lot of things that might be going on in these situations. People judge what they eat according to what others eat, so they want others to eat more â so they can eat more, guilt-free! People feel uneasy when others change an important habit. People donât want to feel inconvenienced by someone elseâs habit change.
But partly, too, I think itâs just satisfying to feed someone or something.
And this aspect of human nature is worth taking into consideration when weâre changing our habits, and when weâre thinking about how other people are affecting our habits.
The Strategy of Other People is a key strategy for habit change.
What do you think? Do you find it satisfying to feed someone or something? Even when you know it may not be a good idea?
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Other posts you might be interested in âŚ
Before And After: Use The Accountability Of Weight Watchers And A Personal Trainer.
âIâve Cultivated The Habit Of Hard Work, Which Is Deeply Satisfying.â
âNo One Wants To Admit They Were Tricked By The Size Of A Scoop Or The Shape Of A Glass.â
âThe More Youâre Served, The More Youâll Eat. And You Wonât Even Think About It.â
10 Pieces Of Unsolicited Advice, From Me, About Fostering Healthier Eating Habits At Work
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