Dieting With Joy Points

If you’ve read the book “The Wealthy Barber Returns” by David Chilton you’ve heard of the concept of joy points. If not (read it) here’s a quick description:

Joy points are value awarded to items and experiences that quantify how much you will gain from that item or experience. For example, a pair of diamond earrings and a weekend getaway at the family cottage may cost the same amount of money. But for me, the amount of joy points I will get from a weekend at the cottage far outweigh the amount of joy points I would get from a pair of earrings.

If you’re struggling with a nutrition plan, try using joy points to help with food decisions. For example, at a restaurant this weekend I had my cheat meal in front of me, nearly all of the huge cheesy burger was eaten, and I knew I could finish it. I even wanted to finish it…even though I would have been painfully full after. My partner reminded me that I would gain far more joy points from the last three bites of burger if I saved them for the next day. And sure enough, the next day those joy points skyrocketed when I got to taste that cheat meal once more.

The reason joy points work for some people is because it makes us stop to think about all options and outcomes. It’s no longer an impulse buy of that chocolate bar that’s on sale at the grocery checkout, because you know there’s more joy points to be had when you take yourself and your kids to get frozen yogurt together this weekend. Joy points are a way of checking in to see how you actually feel about the consumption of each item you’re eating. Plus, it’s a way of making sure that sadness points will never hinder the affect of joy points – meaning: I’ve thought about it and realized that in this case, I won’t feel guilty for making this food choice, because it’s the right choice for me right now. It’s a way of ensuring that you’re not on a diet, but a structured nutrition plan. You’re not missing out on life, but living it to the fullest.