The virtue of vanity is that it reminds you of your ideal and desired self-image. When I shop for food, I keep my vanity in mind. I go straight to the dessert section and stare at all the cakes and cookies. Before I had my vanity optimized for dieting success, I’d just buy a dozen cinnamon rolls and move on.
But now, before I pick up the cake, I call to mind my self-image and ask myself, “Does this food promote my self-image or does it shatter my self-image?” I have spent a good ten-minutes with the cinnamon rolls asking these questions. Giving such thought to my food purchases may seem neurotic, but moving from what comes instinctively to affecting a significant change in my behavior took time. Silly moments like these, when I revisit my self-image, keep me on track.
I don’t always have vanity moments in the food mart, but at least I make certain that the majority of my food decisions are in line with my self-image. That’s what you have to do if you want to get this dieting thing.