Craving or life-long habit? or the same

[Scott F.]

This was sparked by the thread on 'still having cravings'.

We have a local parts store that is one of the old school stores where the guy behind the counter has built a small block Chevrolet, changes his own oil and turns his own wrenches, a true mom and pop place. I have been going there since I was a kid with my Pops, so much so, they call me by my Pops name more than they do mine. Old school place of business.

There has been a gum ball machine in that place since I was a little boy. I would dig a nickel out of the ash tray every time we went as a kid. When I built my first motor at 18 I used a dime to get a gum ball and never failed to get one on each trip. 

Recently I started back on my 1950 Chevrolet truck and went to the parts store. Maybe the first time since Carnivore. As I walked in the door I never blinked, popped in a quarter and was already chewing before I thought about 'sugar' and 'cravings' and 'addictions' and anything of the sort. Just simply did what I have been doing for nearly 50 years. 

I think it tasted good til my brain caught up with my actions and then it didn't taste all that good. 

I pretty much did the same thing with steak sauce a few months ago. 

Anyway, a quick funny I guess. I doubt the gum ball will be my gateway drug to a 'sugar-crazed-addiction', or at least I hope not. LOL

Muscle memory can come in crazy ways. 

Scott

[Orweller]

It's programming. We are trained like dogs, you do good and you get sweetness in your mouth for 5 seconds, and it works, because this starts when we are children. A piece of candy and a pat on the back from good old dad and so the association starts. 

And thus, we see the taste of sweet in our mouths as some sort of reward. Conditioning, no different than Pavlov and his dogs, the inventor of conditioning.  

[Scott F.]

Great perspective. I never realized my Pops was ringing the bell at the parts store. But in so many words.......

 

Scott

[Orweller]

4 hours ago, Scott F. said:

Great perspective. I never realized my Pops was ringing the bell at the parts store. But in so many words.......

 

Scott

Again, not implying that our parents were with ill intent, in fact, it is how I raised my son at the time. Good behavior led always to a sugary treat. I have since educated him about food and he is eating fairly healthy. 

[Geezy]

While I no longer have cravings for certain foods I still have memories, almost phantom cravings from remembering how much I enjoyed them. 
I can see how it would be real easy to just work off of muscle memory before the realization kicked in and said Whoa! 

[Scott F.]

7 hours ago, Orweller said:

Again, not implying that our parents were with ill intent, in fact, it is how I raised my son at the time. Good behavior led always to a sugary treat. I have since educated him about food and he is eating fairly healthy. 

No doubts. But it was completely accurate. I hadn't really thought of it from that perspective. My 'bell' was 'get in the truck and let's go to Southern Parts". My brain clicked and I immediately hit the ash tray looking for change. Automatic. 

In reality, most of his conditioning was with 'negative reinforcement'. LOL.

Scott