Choice Architecture, Pattern Interrupts and My Fat Ass

I want to share a lesson about behavioral change that I learned from Paul Dale Anderson today, through an e-mail about an unrelated topic. It applies to my situation perfectly.

Today I have to go to my doctor's office for what I presume is a "check in" visit. I know Queen Jane will make me step on the scale. I have gained almost 10 pounds since I was last weighed there, so I'm not thrilled .Last time I was at the royal palace, I weighed a lot less. And - of course - Queen Jane's scale weighs five pounds heavier than ours at home.

Marie has noticed (how could she not?) that I've been in the habit of mixing peanut butter with Hershey's chocolate sauce and eating it every night with a spoon. She hasn't nagged nor criticized me. Instead, last week when she did our grocery shopping, Marie bought me a half-gallon of chocolate and caramel yogurt which tastes like ice cream, and quietly put it in the freezer. A half-cup serving is 130 calories.

Marie has observed, (how could she not?), that over the past week, I've been eating TWO scoops of that chocolate and caramel yogurt at night, and topping it with a glob of peanut butter and some chocolate sauce. This means I'm adding another 130 calories with the second scoop. Two level spoonfuls of peanut butter = 240 calories, and the chocolate sauce would add another 180. And I really need to lose weight. She knows that I want to. She, too, is on a healthy eating pattern.

Today she suggested that I just eat one scoop and dribble a little bit of chocolate sauce on top.

I was NOT OFFENDED. I didn't feel like she was monitoring my eating habits and commenting on them. I didn't feel patronized nor shamed. Why is this? Paul's words in quotes, explains it: Because Marie "did not argue, remonstrate nor berate me". by buying me the lowfat yogurt and suggesting a different way to enjoy it. She "simply showed me that I have a better choice."

The lesson, and I do quote Paul: "Just flip the frame with a pattern interrupt! It's called "choice architecture" -- and it acts as a kind of influence flip-stick: flipping a person from one choice of action to another choice of action." And that's EXACTLY what Marie is suggesting.

Photo of my fat ass