PARALLEL HEALTH CONSULTING
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Challenge
  • Work With Me
  • Programs
  • Blog
  • Contact

3/21/2016

Willpower & Won't Power

Comments

Read Now
 
Picture
Willpower. It’s something we usually say we either have or we don’t; there seems to be no in between. But what if we all have willpower, we just haven’t been properly executing it? 
​
For some of us, reaching our goals often comes down to what we are willing to sacrifice in order to get there. Or, how much willpower we have; how much we give in to temptation. Rather than relying solely on your willpower to get you through those difficult days, because yes, we all have them, why not use your willpower to your advantage. Here’s what I mean: I have to workout in the morning. There’s no way around it. If I don’t get it done first thing, when my “willpower” is at its highest, it’s probably not going to happen. In general, I work best earlier in the day. My brain pretty much shuts off once the kids go to bed. I’m exhausted and don’t have the energy to do much of anything including cook, work or exercise. Therefore I know I need to take advantage of the earlier hours and get what I need to get done then. I don't workout at 6 am because I have more willpower than you or anyone else. I workout at 6 am because I know it’s when I am at my best. In other words, my willpower is at its highest.

The same goes for anything in life. Take meal prep. If you took the time to prep all your meals for the week and have them sitting in your fridge/freezer ready to eat, then you are less likely to come home from work, tired and hungry, and reach for that frozen pizza. In fact, heating your meal will take LESS time than the pizza. No willpower required.

Pizza. That brings me to my next point. If you have certain trigger foods, foods you typically can't resist, avoid them. Avoid them at all costs. Don’t buy them for your children or your spouse, you are not doing them any favours bringing junk into the house anyways! The truth is, if you have it in the house, you will need to rely on willpower in order not to eat these foods. And we all know willpower is not that reliable. So take away the temptation and you take away the need to execute willpower.

When it comes down to it, willpower should be a tool used only when necessary, not something you should have to dig deep to find every day. Take away temptation. Know your triggers. Learn to use your won’t power and decide you won’t put yourself in a situation where your willpower will be tested! 

Here are some simple suggestions to ensure you won’t put yourself in a “test of willpower” environment:

  • Prepare. And I mean for everything. Prep your meals ahead of time for the week and bring them with you when need be. Carry around extra snacks in your purse or car in case you are in a situation where your food is not available but you are hungry.
 
  • Tell your friends and family about your health goals and ensure they are on board. As a family, decide to make a lifestyle change and make the most of it together. You can still cook the foods you love. Ask your family members to support your decision. I have had clients tell me their family will go out of their way to bring home chips and cookies when they tell them they are changing their eating habits. Would your family ask you to drop out of nursing school? To quit your job? Your life, and quality of, should be equally important to them. This is your health at stake.
 
  • Remove yourself from the situation. If you feel like you are struggling to resist temptation, try finding something to occupy you until it passes. Take your dog for a quick walk, pick up a book or go golfing. Sometimes all you need is a good distraction.
 
  • Plan to have a little treat here and there. It’s so important to remember this is a lifestyle, not a diet. You should not be constantly feeling deprived. Enjoy your favourite foods every once in awhile. Or maybe you prefer to have a smaller daily treat. If this is what works for you to stay on track, then work it into your plan.

It doesn’t have to be so difficult to become, and stay, healthy. Figure out when your willpower is at its highest and use that time to your advantage! Thanks for following along!

Andrea






Share

Comments
Details

    Archives

    January 2019
    March 2016
    February 2016

    Categories

    All
    Classes
    Fitness
    Motivation

    RSS Feed

Picture
© COPYRIGHT 2021. PARALLEL HEALTH CONSULTING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
​Site powered by  House of Hunts
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Challenge
  • Work With Me
  • Programs
  • Blog
  • Contact