I Really Wanted That Butter Croissant This Morning: Here’s What Went On In My Mind
An hour of walking for nothing.
I could burn about 150 calories by not eating the croissant.
OR, I could eat the croissant and burn half the calories, leaving me with a surplus of about the same amount.
But here’s the thing: had I not been thinking about the walking I would do this morning on my treadmill while working, I might have gone for that deliciously buttery, crispy, flaky pastry. It wasn’t the calories per se that bothered me, but the effort that would be wasted—walking an hour for a delight lasting only five or so minutes.
The Cost-Benefit Analysis of a Croissant
We all do mental math like this daily, sometimes without even realizing it. A cookie at lunch? A glass of wine at dinner? The late-night snack? These aren’t just decisions; they’re trade-offs. In my case, the croissant wasn’t just about taste—it was about effort. And effort, when measured against fleeting pleasure, suddenly takes on a weighty significance.
Would the croissant have been worth it? Maybe. But what mattered most was the perception of wasted effort.
(I think that guy to the left deserves a croissant, don’t you?)
Why We Sometimes Say No (Even When We Really Want to Say Yes)
- The “Effort vs. Reward” Scale – If we feel like we’re undoing our own hard work, we hesitate. The thought of “burning off” something we just ate makes the indulgence seem heavier than it is.
- The “What If” Game – If I eat this now, how will I feel later? Bloated? Guilty? Still craving more? If I don’t eat it, will I regret it?
- The Power of Mindset – When we’re conscious of our health or fitness goals, our decisions shift. It’s not just about calories—it’s about identity. Am I the kind of person who eats the croissant, or the one who walks away?
A Lesson in Intentional Choices
This morning, I passed on the croissant. Not because I had to, but because I chose to. And that’s the real takeaway: when we make intentional decisions—whether about food, exercise, work, or relationships—we own our outcomes.
Tomorrow? Maybe I’ll eat the croissant. Maybe I won’t. Either way, it’ll be my choice. And that’s what matters most.
What’s a recent decision you made based on effort vs. reward? Let’s talk about it in the comments! 👇🥐
MindfulEating #FoodChoices #HealthyLifestyle #Balance #EffortVsReward #SelfDiscipline #FitnessMindset #IntentionalLiving #WellnessJourney #CroissantDilemma
