How to Block DoorDash Until You Exercise (Step-by-Step Guide)

Impulse Control in the Age of 1-Tap Delivery

The human brain evolved in an environment of food scarcity. We are hard-wired to seek out high-calorie meals with minimal effort. This was great 50,000 years ago; it's a disaster in the age of DoorDash and UberEats.

When you're tired after a long day, your 'Executive Function' (the part of your brain that makes healthy choices) is depleted. This is when you're most likely to order a 1,500-calorie meal instead of cooking the healthy groceries in your fridge.

Pre-Commitment: Winning the Fight Before It Starts

You can't win a fair fight against a burger craving at 7:00 PM. You have to win the fight at 8:00 AM by using a 'Pre-Commitment Device.'^[1]

Using Accountable AI, you can block all food delivery apps on your phone starting at 5:00 PM. The only way to unlock them? Uploading proof of a 30-minute workout or a photo of your healthy meal prep.

By the time the craving hits, the decision has already been made. You've restricted your future self's ability to make a bad choice.

The Dopamine Reset

The 'rush' of ordering food is a massive dopamine spike. By forcing a workout before you can even open the app, you're retraining your brain to associate that reward with physical effort. This is known as 'Contingency Management,' a highly effective psychological strategy for behavior change.^2] For a broader look at digital wellness, see our [guide on reducing screen time.

Over time, you'll find that the 'need' to order food diminishes because the friction of the required workout makes the impulse less appealing.