Abdominal Muscle Patch for Shiba Inu: A Weight Loss Reminder Device Based on Habit Psychology

Primarily, phone cases safeguard devices and enhance aesthetics. However, with our increasing reliance on smartphones, their usage frequency and duration far exceed expectations. This presents an opportunity: to integrate small, beneficial devices into our daily lives.
Inspired by my post-holiday physique, I conceived a device merging tactile feedback with weight-management reminders—the "Muscle Shiba Inu Ab-shaped Back Cover Patch."

Underlying Principles

• Behavioral Cues: Many habitual actions are often imperceptible and difficult to modify. For instance, nearing mealtimes, we often instinctively reach for our phones, open food delivery apps, and habitually order excessive portions. The abdominal muscle patch provides tactile (or visual) cues when you pick up your phone, disrupting this habit, prompting you to pause and reassess your impending choices.

   

• Environmental Design: As an integral part of the phone case, the abdominal muscle patch subtly yet effectively influences behavior within daily routines. Each touch or glance serves as a subconscious reminder to maintain healthy habits. This leverages environmental psychology—modifying environmental elements to influence individual choices.
   

• Abdominal Muscle Design Rationale: Abs represent the tangible outcome of weight loss, fitness, and well-being, facilitating rapid mental association. Furthermore, the raised muscle texture enhances tactile feedback.
  The popular meme, "Muscle Shiba Inu vs. Weak Shiba Inu," features the muscular Shiba Inu as an ideal abdominal model.

  

Usage Instructions

1. Fabrication and Installation
   After printing the abdominal muscle patch, affix it to the back of your phone case. Position it strategically, ensuring your fingers invariably contact the patch when holding your phone.

   

    

2. Self-Suggestion
   Find a tranquil setting, relax, and breathe evenly. Gaze at and gently touch the abdominal muscle patch, visualizing your slimmer self, feeling healthier and lighter. Clearly repeat three times (verbal reinforcement): "Each time I touch or see this ab muscle, I'll choose a healthier lifestyle."

    

3. Habit Modification
   In the coming period, pause for three seconds each time you touch the abdominal muscle patch, reflecting on your choices. For example:
   Thirsty, want a drink—touch the ab muscle—skip the sugary drink, opt for water;
   Finished work, eyeing takeout—touch the ab muscle—recall past overeating discomfort, reduce order size;
   Craving snacks—touch the ab muscle—skip chips and chocolate, choose fruit and nuts;
   Heading home, where to go—touch the ab muscle—skip the barbecue, hit the gym instead;
   Bedtime, browsing videos—touch the ab muscle—get some sleep;
   …

    

4. Incentivization (Crucial)
   Appropriate rewards enhance motivation, gamifying habit change.
   For example: record successful habit modifications. Reward yourself with a Steam game if you make healthy choices after touching the patch over five times in a week.

Theoretical Basis

This design is grounded in Wood & Rünger's 2016 article, "Psychology of Habit," published in the Annual Review of Psychology. This research elucidates habit formation, maintenance, and modification mechanisms, emphasizing the use of external cues, environmental design, and reward systems to intervene in the automation of undesirable habits and promote the formation of beneficial ones.
Citation: Wood, W., & Rünger, D. (2016). "Psychology of habit." Annual Review of Psychology, 67, 289-314.
 

A quick reminder: good bed adhesion is essential for a successful print.
Make sure your material and temperature settings are correct, and clean the build plate regularly.
Bambu Lab Liquid Glue for Build Plate is a great way to ensure reliable results.