Willpower — A Limited Supply

How much willpower do you have? Is it an unlimited or a limited supply? There is research to show that willpower is a limited commodity and the more we test its limits, the harder it becomes for us to say no, walk away and keep pushing. If we give in to temptation once, it is easier to give in again the next time we are challenged. Whether your health and fitness goals revolve around weight loss, muscle gain, faster runs or more energy, the way we can best achieve success is to build up our confidence and resupply our willpower with small victories. Rather than constantly testing our willpower by placing ourselves in tempting situations that we know are difficult to deal with, we can align ourselves with people and situations that help us succeed.

For example, if you know that your favorite coffee shop also has your favorite pastry that derails your healthy food plan, pre-order and pay for just the coffee. Then all you have to do is pop in and pick up the cup. Do not put yourself in the position of standing at the counter staring at the pastries. Better yet, get your friend, your partner or your child to run in and grab your coffee for you. Is it easier to have 2 glasses of wine or get an hour of cardio on Friday night after work? Find a walking, running, or biking buddy to help you get the cardio first. You might not want the wine if your endorphin and serotonin levels are up from the cardio. If you still want the wine, have a glass and know that you put in the time for cardio first.

Every time we have a small victory, we reinforce the idea that we can do it — whatever “it” is. Maybe it is showing up to your workout, even if you do not have tons of energy. Maybe it is eating more veggies and less simple carbs. Maybe it is going for a walk with the dog after dinner. Take every little victory and remember that with each one, you are putting more will power in the tank for those days that are more challenging. If you need help creating strategies for creating victories and building will power, reach out to [email protected]. We want you to succeed and we can help you on your journey.