Saving Up Can Help Slim Down

One of the big stumbling blocks in making the sort of changes involved in shedding debt or losing weight is delayed gratification. Neuroscientists who use MRIs to look at our brains have seen why we’re hardwired to have trouble with this: when something we’d like to buy now comes into view, the pleasure centres in our brains go berserk. But when we’re asked to think about buying something in the future – or consider a far-off financial goal like retirement – our pleasure centres don’t respond with those fireworks.

To overcome these mental obstacles, give yourself frequent rewards that don’t knock you off the path to your goal, says Kevin Volpp, director of the Centre for Health Incentives at the University of Pennsylvania. He has designed programmes that, for example, tripled the rate of smoking cessation at a company by building in financial rewards along the way for those who managed to give up.

When you’re working towards a weight-loss goal, consider trying this yourself: ask a friend to monitor your progress, and give yourself R200 (or less) to spend on something for yourself for every week you stay on target. If you’re shedding debt, an inexpensive weekly treat like getting a manicure is something you can look forward to.