Recently, one of my clients was working on setting small, achievable goals for himself during this pandemic. He was focused on health and wellness, as well as some career goals. We were discussing making reasonable guidelines for healthy eating and exercise when we came up with the Big Mac decision. 

Here’s how it goes… sometimes we crave a Big Mac. If we unconsciously follow that craving, we might go get the Bic Mac, eat it and then feel either physically or emotionally bad afterwards. Maybe we feel both physically AND emotionally bad, which is even worse. So essentially, we have eaten the Big Mac and then felt miserable about eating it, which is ultimately the worst-case scenario when it comes to eating Big Macs.

So my client and I decided that when it comes to Big Macs, or any other major life decisions, one must either look for an excuse to eat a Big Mac or consciously choose to do so. The excuse version might sound like this, “I’ve had a super rough day. Life sucks, so I’m going to treat myself to a Big Mac.” Following the excuse version of choice, one then proceeds to feel guilty for having eaten it and then must suffer the emotional and physical ramifications of doing so.

In the conscious choice version of Big Mac eating, one decides that they really truly want a Big Mac. No rationalization or explanations are required. One then gets a Big Mac and slowly and consciously enjoys every bite of said Big Mac. No guilt, no emotional bullying, and no regrets. The physical response is obviously a bit harder to control, yet the Big Mac was eaten slowly and with great intent. 

I’m not advocating for Big Macs either way. I am, however, advocating for conscious choosing of any thing we decide to do. And with that conscious choice, remove remorse, guilt, and second-guessing. If you are going to have a Big Mac, for the love of all things edible, enjoy the hell out of it! If you aren’t going to enjoy it, then why bother eating it? Revel in that Big Mac and be fully present when you eat it. 

Why not do the same with every other decision in your life? Consciously choose without excuses and without regret. If you can’t do it without guilt or regret, do something else. Feel free to use our Big Mac decision-making tool to help you consciously decide and enjoy!

Love,

Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC