DELAYED GRATIFICATION VERSUS INSTANT GRATIFICATION.
Gratification in fitness.
This is one of the hardest battles in modern times. Evolution has had a great influence on the shift from delayed gratification to instant gratification. Our brains are wired to react to situations differently. This is highly attributed to a hormone and a neurotransmitter called Serotonin, which regulates our mood. The exciting, satisfactory and motivational feeling comes from a dopamine hit in the brain. This contributes to either contentment or dissatisfaction.
The dopamine feeling is so immense making it difficult to resist. This contributes to its constant chase by guys across the spectrum. In modern times, the chase seems to be amplified by various factors that have a great impact on the trajectory of the output .
The relation between gratification and fitness.
It's difficult to consistently be on a routine and trust that the process will work to your favour. Overcoming all odds and showing up even on your worst days brings a sort of satisfaction. Lifting weights, denying yourself the luxury of eating everything and anything isn't as easy as it sounds.
A lot of guys fall off the wagon when the going gets tough and when results aren't relative to the output. This brings joy and gratitude to the guys who stayed consistent and later got the results they wanted.
Gratification in this case can be diversified into different interpretations. Showing up for a workout, completing a workout phase, staying consistent in your nutrition, attaining the number of steps or amount of calories needed per day, getting enough sleep and recovery can be a few of the interpretations. This is amplified when one overshadows their weak areas and continues improving overtime.
What factors amplify our gratification state while pursuing fitness ?
The effect might be delayed or instant depending on a few factors. Some of these factors include:
- Exposure - people with a background that is more acquisitive in nature often find themselves using the same approach in fitness. The aspect of patience fizzles out resulting in situations that are barely sustainable despite the quick results. Vice versa is also true for the brain adapts to what is frequently presented to it.
- Social media effect - the output can go either way. It can be used as a motivational tool for guys to continue trusting the process and be patient with the results. On the flip side, can result in body dysmorphia, lowering one's self-esteem.This creates a nice breeding ground for quick fixes to get that dopamine rush. The attention gathered from the internet, takes the feeling to a whole new level. This state contributes to extremities in regards to constantly chasing the dopamine hit.
- Past experience - they say once bitten twice shy. This can be the case for guys who have had a bad taste of what instant gratification can do which eventually changes their perception. Vice versa can be the case where guys have had a negative encounter with delayed gratification which resulted in waste of time and recourses.
- Comparison - more often than not, it's referred to as the thief of joy.
This comes about when it's between an individual and others forgetting that everyone is different based on multiple factors. When it's between your old-self versus the improved and better version of yourself, there comes some internal happiness. It hits different when the changes are products of patience, hard work and dedication unlike overnight success.
How best can we embrace gratification and use it as a fuel source in our fitness growth?
There are various ways of going about it:
- It's important to understand that instant gratification isn't really the enemy. It boils doing to perception. There comes situations where its intervention is necessary. Thinking of how long it would take for you to see substantial amount of results from working out can be draining.Splitting the journey into short but achievable goals could be the game changer. Everytime these goals are achieved, it will result in the spike of the dopamine hit.
- Delayed gratification is great for long term goals and success. In our case, getting that great physique and understanding how to sustain it takes time. Desperate moments should be perceived as part of the process to lessen the burden of temptation. As said before, if you preserver through the trials and tribulations, success at the end point hits different.
- From the points above, having attainable short term and long term goals in writing will result in a synergetic effect. The key word is attainable, away from anything that can't be achieved nor sustained. Every time you achieve any of the goals, tick them to affirm to the brain that yes you did it. The dopamine hit will be a great motivator in achieving the rest.
- If readjusting or switching routines makes it exciting and satisfying for you then embrace it. In such a scenario, let the driving force be looking for what works best for you. If you bump into any, capitalize on it. Most successful endeavors are at times a project of trail and error.
Take away points.
Gratification can either be a distraction or a constructional juncture to our lives. Being aware of its reputation is key when making decisions and when taking action. Instant gratification in modern times can be linked to "The Red Pill" approach used in getting quick results. There are some truth to it but it all boils down to perception and the action taken next. As seen above, the perception can be coined to act as a motivating factor in regards to consistency.
This doesn't make delayed gratification all glamorous and the most sure way to success. Despite the lessons and experience gathered along the way, it might also end up being a waste of time and resources.
Ability of finding balance and proper approach towards the two forms of gratification will make things much easier. Tips shared above will help elaborate further and distinguish between the two.
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