We are all quite familiar with the common addictions that keep so many people overweight and unhealthy – chocolate, sweets, junk food, alcohol, overeating, and so on. There is no big secret about any of these and how harmful they can be.
But there is another sinister addiction that is often just as destructive, largely because it generally goes unnoticed by victims and therefore unchecked. This is especially so for those who have yet to make any progress with their weight loss.
Many may not see it as an addiction exactly, maybe more so as just a bad habit. At the end of the day however, there’s a very fine line between a destructive habit and an addiction, and the outcome is not too different.
So what is this nasty hidden addiction?
It’s the constant, ongoing need to try the latest new thing. We like to call this addiction “shiny new object syndrome”. Someone who’s affected by shiny new object syndrome is constantly being drawn in by the latest programs, diets, fads, gadgets, and so on, and can never seem to stick to one thing long enough to give it a chance to work.
This addiction is actually embedded in human nature, and is so pervasive that it’s responsible for a large chunk of profits generated in the fitness and weight loss industry.
Males, both young and older, manifest this characteristic through constantly being drawn to new toys. With women it’s more clothes, shoes and jewelry. Either way, the principle is that anything that’s new is usually more interesting and attractive than whatever you currently have.
When it comes to weight loss and fitness, this need to try something new on a regular basis leads to two major problems.
Firstly, victims generally never use any product for long enough to assess its true effectiveness. They therefore never get a fair opportunity to experience any benefit from a product, nor are they able to learn anything from the experience.
And secondly, these victims run a very high chance of falling for marketing hype, since they’re ever on the lookout for something new and exciting. It’s their openness to trying something new – anything new – that makes them so easily mislead by false claims and fad products hiding behind a glossy, attractive façade. Their level of skepticism is extremely low.
One of the reasons that shiny new object syndrome is so sinister is that it actually gives the victim the impression that they’re in fact doing something constructive to lose weight and get into shape. They feel positively proactive in that they’re trying so many solutions.
This behavior however often hides an underlying weakness in their desire to change. The excitement and hope of trying each new product is enough to distract them from actually putting in the consistent hard work that’s needed, which of course is far less interesting and welcome.
Most of us know someone who’s affected by shiny new object syndrome – they’re often the ones complaining about having tried everything to lose weight but failed. But what do you do if you yourself are a victim?
Well, recognizing the fact is a great first step.
Next, take a look at what you’re currently doing and try to figure out whether it’s based on common sense and sound principles, or marketing hype and BS. Ask knowledgeable people, read reviews and people’s experiences with the program/device/product online (be careful – these can often be fake!), and make the effort to do some research of your own.
There’s an abundance of genuine, knowledgeable people online who are only too happy to answer a few questions to help you out – drop them an email and get their opinion on what you’re doing.
If what you’re doing seems legit – STICK WITH IT!
Don’t get distracted or tempted by new products that catch your eye. The fact is, progress in our knowledge of weight loss and fitness is made very slowly over time. Contrary to what the marketing claims would have you believe, revolutionary breakthroughs are NOT a daily occurrence.
So ignore the hype – it’s 99.9% bogus!
If what you’re currently doing doesn’t seem legit, then you have permission to drop it like a hot potato. Find a program that is legitimate, using the same process that I described above.
When results aren’t coming the way you thought or hoped, DON’T QUIT!
Find out what the problem is, and make some adjustments where necessary.
Sure, this will take some patience and work. But let me tell you, you’re far more likely to get to your goals this way than by constantly jumping onto the new flavor of the month.
Always remember that the process of getting into shape is rarely glamorous. Only the results are. If you’re averse to hard work and you’re easily led by claims of magical, quick results I can guarantee that you’ll be spinning your wheels for a long time but going nowhere.
Take the step of getting off the addictive shiny new object syndrome cycle and only then will you start moving towards your goals.