One of my Facebook C Diet participants recently sent me information about BJ Fogg, a behavior professor at Stanford University. She told me that Dr. Fogg’s theories reminded her of the Facebook C Diet. So I took a look. She’s right!
What good is knowledge if we don’t apply it? The former president of Princeton University defined “education” as simply “the ability to meet life’s situations.” Since the only way we learn is by doing, we must put this knowledge into action in order to educate (or be educated).
Mr. Fogg runs a persuasive technology lab at Stanford. There he teaches — and discovers — how to change people’s attitudes but moreso, their behaviors, using computers and mobile phones.
According to Dr. Fogg (and I agree), there are three things that will change behavior, also known as a habit:
1) you can have what’s known as an epiphany (call it “a sudden revelation”)
2) you can change your context (bad association spoils useful habits)
3) you can take baby steps (also referred to as “the easiest”)
Losing weight is one of the hardest things for many people to do. Heck, some people can even quit smoking before they lose any weight! There are people who abstain from sex — but can’t lose weight. Motivation isn’t foreign to them, they can successfully make a change, yet they are unable to lose weight. How is this possible?
“Sir, I have bad news. You have lung cancer.” Assume you smoked and the doctor said this to you. What would you do? You’d probably be very upset, true, but there’s something else you’re likely to do… yes! Quit smoking! The doctor gave you some news that affects not only your life, but the lives of all of your loved ones. This is a pretty powerful — yet unfortunate — way to motivate you into taking action, right?
Or this one: “Honey, shut off the video game and go do your homework.” Good luck. Now try this: “Honey if you do your homework, you’ll learn how to create cool video games, just like the one you’re playing.” Blam!
See, the fact of the matter is, in order for you to change your behavior, or cease a bad habit, you need to be motivated. But clearly motivation alone isn’t enough. You also need to take action. Yes, but according to my “Easy as Pie… Oops” sign-up form the participants all filled out, many have taken action in the past; they’ve tried other diet programs. So just as in the above examples, there needs to be a third element…
BANG! BANG!
In order for any behavior or habit to change, these three things must exist — at the same time: 1) motivation 2) action and 3) a trigger
Just as a gun is useless without a trigger, you cannot lose weight unless all of these elements exist — at the same time.
A trigger activates your motivation and causes you to take action. I’ll say it again: A trigger activates your motivation and causes you to take action.
What’s your weight loss trigger?
*****
For more information on the Facebook C Diet, click here
To see remarkable “before and after” weight loss photos from Facebook C Diet participants, click here
To read heartfelt — most were handwritten — thank you notes from current and past Facebook C Diet participants, click here
To read another post by Stefan Pinto, click here
You left out one significant fact about weight loss that isn't true for smoking, sex, or video games. You HAVE to eat. It's not a matter of abstaining – it's a matter of adjusting how you engage. This is what makes weight loss harder. It's also the foods that we're being fed – so many of the "diet" foods being low in fat but high in calories or vice-versa. Plus, the negative self-image that we give overweight people doesn't help either. When you hate what you see in the mirror, it's hard to behave in a loving fashion to your body and feed it good food. These are more the issues, IMHO.
Thank you "ksparta" for your smart comment! Yes, this is true, you are right! The participants on the Facebook C Diet all "learn" these valuable behavior changes and realize the significance. Thanks for commenting. Eat your veggies!
Don't you believe ksparta that the major problem of all this is the generations have been FED the concept of I deserve a break Today?
The myth also prevails that Healthy Food and health menu systems are too difficult or unaffordable.
I can, and have shown, anyone, regardless of geographic US location, how to eat Healthy and spend Less…
It might take some Time, Discipline and a Sincere burning desire to be FIT
Hi "cjbart2" – Your comment is provocative. Yes, it is a myth, but do you think that it is so only to those of us who know better? Let's look at the facts: In a recent article in "The Week," (August 19, 2011), research has shown that many Americans have little experience eating or preparing broccoli, asparagus and other produce. The research has indicated that the poor, in particular, have become so accustomed to salty packaged foods and sugary beverages that they find fresh food bland, strange and off-putting. It's actually quite interesting that even the writer of the article referred to healthy food as "bland"! I am seeking permission to reprint this article. It is interesting, isn't it?
So after being on the Facebook C Diet for a few weeks now, I finally understand this! I know you sent this to us in an e-mail and I read it twice and was still unsure what it truly meant! Thank you Stefan for everything you have done! I can't wait until our next session!
Yes, there are "diet" foods out there that are actually not good for you! The way to lose weight, is eat better. This couldn't have been said any better "A trigger activates your motivation and causes you to take action."