What is homo economicus?
The term homo economicus, or economic man, is the portrayal of humans as agents who are consistently rational, narrowly self-interested, and who pursue their subjectively-defined ends optimally.To change yourself into a person who exercises and stays fit and slim you will have to be rational about your behavior at least in this area of your life.
If we were perfectly rational creatures adverts for lottery tickets, doughnuts and booze would not exist. No human would smoke or overeat or bet on the outcome of a roll of a pair of dice. But we are not perfectly cool and rational beings.
Are we irrational are our actions irrational?
I doubt it. What we do even if it is not good for us meets some kind of need or want we have at that moment. I am not a behavioral biologist, evolutionist, anthropologist, sociologist, psychologist... so I will not put forward any opinion as to why we do things that don't appear to be good for us. However, they probably make sense to us at that moment. Even if they don't make sense we can certainly think of a reason for them to appear okay. To change to get what we "really" want we need to transcend ourselves at the moment of decision making. We also need to transcend ourselves while the urge to do what we do not want to do fades away. How to do this?
Subjectively Defined Ends
I am going to take the action that will get me to my subjectively defined end.
What is a subjectively defined end? It is what you want.
Ask yourself this question What do I want? Not what any other person wants for me or wants me to do. But, WHAT DO I WANT?
What do you want?
This blog is about weight loss, getting fit, and staying fit. What do you want from your weight loss and healthy life? Be honest with yourself.
I like feeling healthy and alert but close to this is looking good in well-cut clothes. I like to wear tailored jackets and slim fit shirts. Pure vanity I know, but it is a strong driver for me.
Pursuing your ends optimally.
That just means doing the stuff that will get you what you want. Will Kentucky Fried Chicken help me look good? Will a tub of Ben and Jerrys make me feel bright and alive. Will sitting on a sofa for 6 hours in the evening strengthen my bones and muscle, will it help me stand straighter?
You will need to think about your food buying and eating. you will need to think about how you are spending your time. You will need to think about the thing you are doing now or the thing you are about to do. Now is the only time you can do something. So now is what is going to shape the future you.
You need to be rational. You need to be aware of what you are doing now. Is this action in line with the pursuit of my want? If not, don't do it. Ask yourself what would be in line with your want, then do that.
It will become natural after a while
To change into the kind of person you want to be you will have to do what that kind of person does. For a while, you will really have to be on the ball. Be conscious of your thinking and be conscious of your actions. After some time your actions will, hopefully, automatically maintain your newfound slender, stronger self. Your thoughts will more naturally direct you toward good health.
