Comments on: How procrastinating is sort of like dieting. Or something. http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/how-procrastinating-is-sort-of-like-dieting-or-something/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:23:27 +0000 hourly 1 By: Angela C http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/how-procrastinating-is-sort-of-like-dieting-or-something/#comment-5191 Angela C Wed, 07 Apr 2010 05:24:57 +0000 http://www.fatnutritionist.com/?p=127#comment-5191 My eyes widened when I read the title of this post -- a link between procrastination and dieting? I immediately thought YES! without really knowing why. Thanks for the brilliant insight. I'm going to try to apply it to both my eating habits and my job searching. My eyes widened when I read the title of this post — a link between procrastination and dieting? I immediately thought YES! without really knowing why. Thanks for the brilliant insight. I’m going to try to apply it to both my eating habits and my job searching.

]]> By: meagan http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/how-procrastinating-is-sort-of-like-dieting-or-something/#comment-3625 meagan Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:57:50 +0000 http://www.fatnutritionist.com/?p=127#comment-3625 Um... I don't know how else to say this, so I'll say it in its simplest and most honest form. Thank you. You might have just made a very significant impact on my life, no number of words could express my gratitude. (Oh, and a shout out to commentors above me aswell, seeing my own feelings written by others is incredibly reassuring!) Um… I don’t know how else to say this, so I’ll say it in its simplest and most honest form. Thank you. You might have just made a very significant impact on my life, no number of words could express my gratitude.
(Oh, and a shout out to commentors above me aswell, seeing my own feelings written by others is incredibly reassuring!)

]]> By: Narkryta http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/how-procrastinating-is-sort-of-like-dieting-or-something/#comment-2718 Narkryta Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:46:19 +0000 http://www.fatnutritionist.com/?p=127#comment-2718 Re: procratination & terror. I've felt this way every minute of the past 10+ years. This won't add anything to the discussion, but this is the first time someone has put words to it. Thank you for writing about it. (Although if I were to speak honestly, I would say it might be more terrifying to read this than to try to not think about it.) Re: procratination & terror.

I’ve felt this way every minute of the past 10+ years. This won’t add anything to the discussion, but this is the first time someone has put words to it. Thank you for writing about it. (Although if I were to speak honestly, I would say it might be more terrifying to read this than to try to not think about it.)

]]> By: Eat food. Stuff you like. As much as you want. | The Fat Nutritionist http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/how-procrastinating-is-sort-of-like-dieting-or-something/#comment-2270 Eat food. Stuff you like. As much as you want. | The Fat Nutritionist Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:11:16 +0000 http://www.fatnutritionist.com/?p=127#comment-2270 [...] We’re all sensitive to threats to our freedom, even if, practically speaking, those threats don’t seem as bad as being trapped or imprisoned. We’re able to detect the merest whiff of a threat to our freedom, and we respond appropriately. To a strong and imminent threat, we’ll fight to the death. To a threat that’s just a whisper of a shadow of a threat, we’ll dig in our heels a little bit. Stop listening. Roll our eyes and take a step backward. Procrastinate. [...] [...] We’re all sensitive to threats to our freedom, even if, practically speaking, those threats don’t seem as bad as being trapped or imprisoned. We’re able to detect the merest whiff of a threat to our freedom, and we respond appropriately. To a strong and imminent threat, we’ll fight to the death. To a threat that’s just a whisper of a shadow of a threat, we’ll dig in our heels a little bit. Stop listening. Roll our eyes and take a step backward. Procrastinate. [...]

]]> By: renniejoy http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/how-procrastinating-is-sort-of-like-dieting-or-something/#comment-2241 renniejoy Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:12:00 +0000 http://www.fatnutritionist.com/?p=127#comment-2241 OMG, that's exactly what happens to me!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for putting it into words! OMG, that’s exactly what happens to me!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for putting it into words!

]]> By: emeraldcat http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/how-procrastinating-is-sort-of-like-dieting-or-something/#comment-1809 emeraldcat Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:53:24 +0000 http://www.fatnutritionist.com/?p=127#comment-1809 Wow! All I can say is THIS is how I work too. If there's a deadline, or goal, or any kind of external pressure, I put the work off until it's too late to complete it and simply sabotage myself. Thank you for so eloquently putting my thoughts into words ! I wish I had found your blog sooner, Michelle! Last summer I was awarded a grant for a project that was due back in September. I'm handing in the finalized version tomorrow, though I've had *most* of the work done in my head. As an educator, this topic is also of great interest for me because I see these same patterns in some of my students. I can be very understanding about it but sometimes am at a loss for how to help them since I also fall into the patterns of procrastinating under pressure. I'm definitely going to take a look at that other website and keep reading on here. I love all your posts! Wow! All I can say is THIS is how I work too. If there’s a deadline, or goal, or any kind of external pressure, I put the work off until it’s too late to complete it and simply sabotage myself. Thank you for so eloquently putting my thoughts into words !

I wish I had found your blog sooner, Michelle! Last summer I was awarded a grant for a project that was due back in September. I’m handing in the finalized version tomorrow, though I’ve had *most* of the work done in my head.

As an educator, this topic is also of great interest for me because I see these same patterns in some of my students. I can be very understanding about it but sometimes am at a loss for how to help them since I also fall into the patterns of procrastinating under pressure.
I’m definitely going to take a look at that other website and keep reading on here. I love all your posts!

]]> By: Gorda http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/how-procrastinating-is-sort-of-like-dieting-or-something/#comment-813 Gorda Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:02:53 +0000 http://www.fatnutritionist.com/?p=127#comment-813 I've been thinking about procrastination A LOT since I first read this post, and I wanted to share something I found elsewhere about procrastination and perfectionism. It's a kind of vlog posted by Jay Smooth on his hip-hop video blog ill Doctrine. Nothing to do with nutrition or dieting, but if you substitute whatever-activity-you-tend-to-postpone whenever he mentions "making videos", I'm sure it will resonate with most procrastinators out there -- it certainly does with me! (The interesting stuff starts at 0:35.) http://www.illdoctrine.com/2007/12/beating_the_little_hater.html I’ve been thinking about procrastination A LOT since I first read this post, and I wanted to share something I found elsewhere about procrastination and perfectionism. It’s a kind of vlog posted by Jay Smooth on his hip-hop video blog ill Doctrine. Nothing to do with nutrition or dieting, but if you substitute whatever-activity-you-tend-to-postpone whenever he mentions “making videos”, I’m sure it will resonate with most procrastinators out there — it certainly does with me! (The interesting stuff starts at 0:35.)

http://www.illdoctrine.com/2007/12/beating_the_little_hater.html

]]> By: Michelle http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/how-procrastinating-is-sort-of-like-dieting-or-something/#comment-477 Michelle Mon, 03 Aug 2009 01:20:35 +0000 http://www.fatnutritionist.com/?p=127#comment-477 I'm glad I'm not the only one, Caitlin. I've been reading around this issue, trying to deal with it. One of the more important concepts I've stumbled upon is the idea of intrinsic motivation vs. extrinsic motivation. There's been some psychological research conducted that seems to indicate that people are LESS likely to want to do a task if they are extrinsically rewarded for it -- i.e., even students are less likely to learn well, or to want to learn at all, when that learning is then tied to examinations and grades. For someone like me, who is dangerously curious and constantly reading on my own, this has definitely been the case in school. Once grades became IMPORTANT THINGS that had DIRE CONSEQUENCES (in high school and college) I suddenly became extremely anxious about studying and school in general, and have basically developed a phobia around it. So sad for someone who genuinely loves to learn, and always did naturally well in school when there was less pressure attached to it. I’m glad I’m not the only one, Caitlin. I’ve been reading around this issue, trying to deal with it. One of the more important concepts I’ve stumbled upon is the idea of intrinsic motivation vs. extrinsic motivation. There’s been some psychological research conducted that seems to indicate that people are LESS likely to want to do a task if they are extrinsically rewarded for it — i.e., even students are less likely to learn well, or to want to learn at all, when that learning is then tied to examinations and grades.

For someone like me, who is dangerously curious and constantly reading on my own, this has definitely been the case in school. Once grades became IMPORTANT THINGS that had DIRE CONSEQUENCES (in high school and college) I suddenly became extremely anxious about studying and school in general, and have basically developed a phobia around it. So sad for someone who genuinely loves to learn, and always did naturally well in school when there was less pressure attached to it.

]]> By: Caitlin http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/how-procrastinating-is-sort-of-like-dieting-or-something/#comment-475 Caitlin Sun, 02 Aug 2009 23:06:34 +0000 http://www.fatnutritionist.com/?p=127#comment-475 <i>It’s gotten to the point where I damn near have a phobia about stuff like schoolwork. I actually cannot remember the last time I studied properly for an exam — I take them all by the seat of my pants, just because I find it too scary to study. Talk about conterproductive</i> This this this. I have actually NEVER studied properly for an exam. I studied for my finals the day before -- or, in one case, the night before. And for exactly the reasons you mention. I LOVE to learn, but as soon as it's tied to grades/exams/parental expectations/degrees I want nothing to do with it. <i>One thing I’ve recently learned about procrastination, and which might apply to eating, is that pressure breeds resistance. The more pressure I put on myself to do certain things, the more certain I am to dig in my heels and do the exact opposite.</i> That is really, really interesting. I am going to think on that. It’s gotten to the point where I damn near have a phobia about stuff like schoolwork. I actually cannot remember the last time I studied properly for an exam — I take them all by the seat of my pants, just because I find it too scary to study. Talk about conterproductive

This this this. I have actually NEVER studied properly for an exam. I studied for my finals the day before — or, in one case, the night before. And for exactly the reasons you mention. I LOVE to learn, but as soon as it’s tied to grades/exams/parental expectations/degrees I want nothing to do with it.

One thing I’ve recently learned about procrastination, and which might apply to eating, is that pressure breeds resistance. The more pressure I put on myself to do certain things, the more certain I am to dig in my heels and do the exact opposite.

That is really, really interesting. I am going to think on that.

]]> By: Michelle http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/how-procrastinating-is-sort-of-like-dieting-or-something/#comment-161 Michelle Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:13:36 +0000 http://www.fatnutritionist.com/?p=127#comment-161 <em>I overeat when I feel that I do not deserve good things, and I procrastinate in exactly the same situation.</em> This is fascinating to me, Gorda. Thanks for talking about it. I'm really, really slowly learning more about this issue, and I love the fact that people are willing to share their experiences here. I want to hear more, if possible, because I think we can come up with some ideas about how to deal. One thing I've recently learned about procrastination, and which might apply to eating, is that <em>pressure breeds resistance.</em> The more pressure I put on myself to do certain things, the more certain I am to dig in my heels and do the exact opposite. I don't know if this applies to everyone, or just to people who are mule-headedly rebellious like I am, but I suspect lots of people would confirm they've observed the same thing. And while I've never had a chronic binge eating issue, I've definitely had some episodes when I was relearning how to eat where I felt totally out of control when it came to my eating, and how much to eat, and what to eat, etc. It was miserable, and I felt so ashamed and (pardon me) fucked-up around food. But I did find that, when I made a conscious effort to take the pressure off, the need for a release-valve (via my eating) was lessened considerably. I don't know yet how people can go about applying this to their own situations, but it's something I'm mulling over a lot lately. I overeat when I feel that I do not deserve good things, and I procrastinate in exactly the same situation.

This is fascinating to me, Gorda. Thanks for talking about it. I’m really, really slowly learning more about this issue, and I love the fact that people are willing to share their experiences here. I want to hear more, if possible, because I think we can come up with some ideas about how to deal.

One thing I’ve recently learned about procrastination, and which might apply to eating, is that pressure breeds resistance. The more pressure I put on myself to do certain things, the more certain I am to dig in my heels and do the exact opposite. I don’t know if this applies to everyone, or just to people who are mule-headedly rebellious like I am, but I suspect lots of people would confirm they’ve observed the same thing.

And while I’ve never had a chronic binge eating issue, I’ve definitely had some episodes when I was relearning how to eat where I felt totally out of control when it came to my eating, and how much to eat, and what to eat, etc. It was miserable, and I felt so ashamed and (pardon me) fucked-up around food. But I did find that, when I made a conscious effort to take the pressure off, the need for a release-valve (via my eating) was lessened considerably.

I don’t know yet how people can go about applying this to their own situations, but it’s something I’m mulling over a lot lately.

]]> By: Gorda http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/how-procrastinating-is-sort-of-like-dieting-or-something/#comment-158 Gorda Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:08:20 +0000 http://www.fatnutritionist.com/?p=127#comment-158 I too got here from the Fatosphere feed, I loved Mouthfeel and I'm loving The Fat Nutritionist (starting with that name -- genius!) I'm delurking to say that I find your tentative analogy (procrastinating is sort-of-like-dieting or something) very intriguing, and that you have made me think a lot about my own procrastinatory habits. In my case, I would say procrastinating is sort of like overeating. I tend to use food as a punishment: I overeat when I feel that I do not deserve good things, and I procrastinate in exactly the same situation. During an episode of binge eating, I am very aware that in a few hours I will feel sluggish, sick to my stomach, frustrated, and disappointed in myself -- yet that awareness is not enough to make me stop. Similarly, when I procrastinate (putting off doing my homework, doing housework, even going to bed) I am very aware that in a few hours I will stress about all the work that I've been postponing, I will be tired and cranky because I didn't get enough sleep, I will not enjoy the sunshine, the food I eat, the company of my friends, I will be frustrated and disappointed in myself -- yet that awareness is not enough to make me get off the sofa and do my homework, vacuum, go to bed. The out-of-control feeling is very similar in both cases, as is the feeling that I do not deserve to enjoy what I do: I do not deserve to enjoy eating so I will eat when I am not hungry and keep going until I make myself sick; I do not deserve to enjoy what I do for a living, so I will postpone it until the very last minute and then do it in a panic, not because I want to do it but because I absolutely have to or else. I too got here from the Fatosphere feed, I loved Mouthfeel and I’m loving The Fat Nutritionist (starting with that name — genius!)

I’m delurking to say that I find your tentative analogy (procrastinating is sort-of-like-dieting or something) very intriguing, and that you have made me think a lot about my own procrastinatory habits. In my case, I would say procrastinating is sort of like overeating. I tend to use food as a punishment: I overeat when I feel that I do not deserve good things, and I procrastinate in exactly the same situation. During an episode of binge eating, I am very aware that in a few hours I will feel sluggish, sick to my stomach, frustrated, and disappointed in myself — yet that awareness is not enough to make me stop. Similarly, when I procrastinate (putting off doing my homework, doing housework, even going to bed) I am very aware that in a few hours I will stress about all the work that I’ve been postponing, I will be tired and cranky because I didn’t get enough sleep, I will not enjoy the sunshine, the food I eat, the company of my friends, I will be frustrated and disappointed in myself — yet that awareness is not enough to make me get off the sofa and do my homework, vacuum, go to bed. The out-of-control feeling is very similar in both cases, as is the feeling that I do not deserve to enjoy what I do: I do not deserve to enjoy eating so I will eat when I am not hungry and keep going until I make myself sick; I do not deserve to enjoy what I do for a living, so I will postpone it until the very last minute and then do it in a panic, not because I want to do it but because I absolutely have to or else.

]]> By: Yunyin http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/how-procrastinating-is-sort-of-like-dieting-or-something/#comment-119 Yunyin Sun, 14 Jun 2009 09:29:52 +0000 http://www.fatnutritionist.com/?p=127#comment-119 !!! That is so me!!! I've totally been putting off making any new art or finishing ones that I promised. I'm a massive procrastinator, but I never really figured WHY I might to do it! Your post has given me something to think about! Thank you! !!! That is so me!!! I’ve totally been putting off making any new art or finishing ones that I promised. I’m a massive procrastinator, but I never really figured WHY I might to do it! Your post has given me something to think about! Thank you!

]]> By: Jasie VanGesen http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/how-procrastinating-is-sort-of-like-dieting-or-something/#comment-114 Jasie VanGesen Sat, 13 Jun 2009 22:33:50 +0000 http://www.fatnutritionist.com/?p=127#comment-114 I just stumbled upon your blog from the fatosphere feed... and whoa. I must say, I relate to this post on such a deep level... it's almost creepy how much I GET IT. I just stumbled upon your blog from the fatosphere feed… and whoa. I must say, I relate to this post on such a deep level… it’s almost creepy how much I GET IT.

]]> By: Michelle http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/how-procrastinating-is-sort-of-like-dieting-or-something/#comment-109 Michelle Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:12:51 +0000 http://www.fatnutritionist.com/?p=127#comment-109 Oooooh, BURN. Oooooh, BURN.

]]> By: Ulumuri http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/how-procrastinating-is-sort-of-like-dieting-or-something/#comment-107 Ulumuri Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:29:52 +0000 http://www.fatnutritionist.com/?p=127#comment-107 Hmm... I think you actually expressed it even better than she did, to tell the truth! Hmm… I think you actually expressed it even better than she did, to tell the truth!

]]> By: Karin http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/how-procrastinating-is-sort-of-like-dieting-or-something/#comment-104 Karin Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:58:37 +0000 http://www.fatnutritionist.com/?p=127#comment-104 Thank you so much for writing this. I've been a procrastinator all my life and, although I've still done well despite that, I've never really understood why I put myself through this every time. But you are correct: it's about pleasing others, fear of failing, and low self esteem. I've spent the first 45 years of my life with this mindset... I'm trying really hard to spend the next 45 years being kinder to myself, and in turn hopefully kinder to the world around me. And that includes not putting myself through the torture of dieting. As a general note: I found this blog from a link off of Shapely Prose yesterday, and I have been just hopping around from post to post, enjoying everything I read. I never subscribe (too much email already), but I'm subscribing to your blog. I really like your viewpoint and the way you express it. Please do share about the life you want to live... you'll probably inspire us all! Thank you so much for writing this. I’ve been a procrastinator all my life and, although I’ve still done well despite that, I’ve never really understood why I put myself through this every time. But you are correct: it’s about pleasing others, fear of failing, and low self esteem.

I’ve spent the first 45 years of my life with this mindset… I’m trying really hard to spend the next 45 years being kinder to myself, and in turn hopefully kinder to the world around me. And that includes not putting myself through the torture of dieting.

As a general note: I found this blog from a link off of Shapely Prose yesterday, and I have been just hopping around from post to post, enjoying everything I read. I never subscribe (too much email already), but I’m subscribing to your blog. I really like your viewpoint and the way you express it.

Please do share about the life you want to live… you’ll probably inspire us all!

]]> By: Michelle http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/how-procrastinating-is-sort-of-like-dieting-or-something/#comment-72 Michelle Sun, 07 Jun 2009 22:44:57 +0000 http://www.fatnutritionist.com/?p=127#comment-72 Ulumuri -- Seriously. Check out that link in my previous comment. She is the absolute best when it comes to procrastination. More specifically, check out <a href=http://www.fluentself.com/blog/category/stuckification/ rel="nofollow">this category</a> of her blog. Very helpful stuff. Ulumuri — Seriously. Check out that link in my previous comment. She is the absolute best when it comes to procrastination.

More specifically, check out this category of her blog. Very helpful stuff.

]]> By: Ulumuri http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/how-procrastinating-is-sort-of-like-dieting-or-something/#comment-70 Ulumuri Sun, 07 Jun 2009 21:35:20 +0000 http://www.fatnutritionist.com/?p=127#comment-70 I'm a new subscriber, and I just had to say a resounding "YEAH THAT" to this. It's exactly what I needed to read right now. You may actually have just saved me from flunking out of grad school due to procrastination. *bows down* I’m a new subscriber, and I just had to say a resounding “YEAH THAT” to this. It’s exactly what I needed to read right now. You may actually have just saved me from flunking out of grad school due to procrastination. *bows down*

]]> By: deeleigh http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/how-procrastinating-is-sort-of-like-dieting-or-something/#comment-33 deeleigh Sat, 06 Jun 2009 02:17:50 +0000 http://www.fatnutritionist.com/?p=127#comment-33 Yay, Michelle! Awesome website, and great posts so far. That's it, isn't it? I can relate, too. I've become more aware of my fear lately, partly because my career is scaring the shit out of me, and you're right about the procrastination. Yay, Michelle! Awesome website, and great posts so far.

That’s it, isn’t it? I can relate, too. I’ve become more aware of my fear lately, partly because my career is scaring the shit out of me, and you’re right about the procrastination.

]]> By: Michelle http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/how-procrastinating-is-sort-of-like-dieting-or-something/#comment-22 Michelle Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:30:21 +0000 http://www.fatnutritionist.com/?p=127#comment-22 Twistie -- If you want to have a bunch of amazing revelations about procrastinating, and I don't think I'm overstating this by any means, check out this website: http://fluentself.com Amazing. That's all I can say. And I'll take a German Chocolate cake if you've got one laying around! Twistie — If you want to have a bunch of amazing revelations about procrastinating, and I don’t think I’m overstating this by any means, check out this website:

http://fluentself.com

Amazing. That’s all I can say.

And I’ll take a German Chocolate cake if you’ve got one laying around!

]]>