It’s quite stupid, many people have this habit, but, good news, it can be stopped in the blink of an eye.
Have you decided to take care of yourself? Move more, eat differently, sleep better… And then, without you realizing it, an automatism sets in. A well-intentioned reflex, motivated by the desire to do good or make a mark. However, according to a dietician, this widespread behavior has effects contrary to those sought.
In a publication relayed on Instagram, Rachel Paul, nutrition specialist and doctor of public health, returns to this trend that many adopt without really thinking about it. She explains that the way you celebrate a personal breakthrough or a visible result in a weight loss project can have a stronger impact than you imagine. Because even if the intention is positive, the choice of reward plays a role in the way we build – or not – lasting habits. And in the long term, certain reactions can create a dynamic that slows down the process, instead of supporting it.
For Rachel Paul, it all starts with recognizing progress. Whether you are looking to refine your silhouette, strengthen your body, improve your health or simply feel more in tune with yourself, it is normal – and even advisable – to stop for a moment to observe what is evolving. It’s a way to stay connected to your efforts, to strengthen your motivation and to give meaning to the process. The problem, she says, is not celebrating. It’s the way we do it. More precisely, what we associate this celebration with.
Some people, as soon as they reach a milestone – a number on the scale, a completed sports session, a goal met for a week – choose to mark the occasion by treating themselves to something special: a pleasure food product. However, Rachel Paul claims that “food should not be seen as a reward for an accomplishment such as reaching a weight loss goal”. Its message is clear: food must remain a fuel, a pleasure, a response to the body’s needs – but not an external validation of an accomplished effort.
The dietician encourages people to turn to other forms of gratification. This can be through an activity you enjoy, a moment of relaxation, a purchase linked to your progress, a shared experience. In short, something that makes you want to continue and not something that calls everything into question.
