When A Thought Becomes A Brownie

 Cheats You Tell Yourself

The urge arrived at approximately 4:17 P.M. right on schedule. I was not hungry. I had eaten my carefully weighed lunch. I had consumed my water and allotted fruit like a responsible adult. And yet, there I stood in the kitchen, staring into the pantry as if it contained emotional solutions. I wasn't looking for food. I was looking for relief. 

Unfortunately, my brain believes relief comes in the form of something toasted, frosted, or served with a spoon.

The urge to cheat on your food plan doesn't begin with a brownie. It begins with a thought.

Typically, the progression of those thoughts go something like this:

Stage 1 - The Suggestion

Stage 2 - The Minimization

Stage 3 - The Rationalization

Stage 4 - The Future Promise

Stage 5 - The Permission Slip

The Rationalization Olympics...And The Gold Goes To...

After just having watched the Olympics on TV, I think that it is appropriate to share with you, that I, Sjodry, have indeed scored the 'Gold Medal' in the art of rationalizations:

• "It's fruit adjacent."
• "It's basically a protein."
• "It would be rude not to."
• "Steve would understand."
• "I've been good all week."
• "It's just one bite."
• "I deserve this."

Why It Happens (The Science Layer)

• Dopamine is anticipation-based
• Restriction increases fixation
• Habits run on cue > routine > reward
• The brain prefers immediate reward over long-term outcomes

The brain is not immoral. It is efficient. It chooses now over later every time unless trained otherwise.

But sometimes (often)..cheating is not about food. 

It's about when mental fatigue lowers resistance to impulses, an impulse-intention clash between desire vs. decision.

The truth is, the urge isn't loud because I'm starving. It's loud because I'm tired. Or overwhelmed. Or wanting comfort.

When the urge to cheat arrives, think:

The Reality Check: Is It Worth:

• The five minutes of pleasure
• The hour (or more) of mental noise after
• The negotiation spiral
• The "well now the day is ruined" thinking

The Reframe

• The urge doesn't mean failure
• The urge is a thought, not a command
• Not every thought deserves a snack

What Does Resistance Look Like?

Not dramatic.

Not heroic.

Just small and practical.

• Closing the pantry
• Making tea
• Drinking water
• Saying, "Not today!"
• Letting the wave pass

In The End...

My urge lasted about 7 minutes.

It felt eternal.

It was not.

The urge still visits.

It just doesn't get to drive anymore.

Sjodry and Resisting 🍩