I was watching the Today Show this morning and they had an interesting author on talking about willpower. It's something that I really wonder about. How do I find the strength to lose weight, when other people don't? Mostly, I think it's because it was super important to me. Everyone has different things that are important to them. Honestly, I'm not 100% sure that it's STILL as important to me as it was 2 years ago when I actually started losing weight pretty well -- with a plan (because I was 30-40 pounds heavier back then). I'm still overweight though, so I do want to stick with it.
These were the thoughts I gleaned from the segment...
1. Willpower is refreshed with sleep. The woman on the show said willpower is like your gas tank that is refilled each night with sleep. For those of you who know me, know my sleep is SUPER important to me, especially night sleep (I don't do well with naps, most of the time, I wake up super ornery and not refilled at all). I go to bed around 9 pm every night (falling asleep somewhere between 9:30 and 10 usually. And I get up between 5:15 and 6:15, depending on what's in store, and if it's an early workout day. I can't stress it enough, lack of sleep is how I gained the weight (thanks to P and my other kids) and getting enough rest will make it more possible.
2. You can "catch" willpower -- by having good friends you see things they do, and you want to do them yourselves. I must say that i have great friends, but also by reading blogs and seeing things that other people have done (especially people who have similar stressors to myself, like kids and jobs, etc.) has been a huge motivator. I like how said you can "catch" it though -- like it rubs off on people.
3. Re-frame your goal so it's something you WANT to do. No one wants to count calories. That's not a fun goal. But losing weight is a fun goal. And counting calories is just how you're going to get there. However, my first goal in 2010 was to "follow weight watchers this year" and while it wasn't fun, it worked and it was measurable. It was also a relief when that year was over. :)
Anyway, some good topics that I enjoyed listening to. Let's see if I can find the segment somewhere....
Ok, I couldn't find it, but NPR has a show with her on it -- I might try and listen to it in some spare time. Interesting stuff.
What do you guys think about the 3 things I "learned" on the show? Truths?
2 comments:
I agree motivation can be contagious! I'll have to keep that in mind as a tool.
I think those are all great points.
With a newborn and the accompanying limit in sleep I definitely have less willpower(and patience) and it is very easy to follow the path of least resistance. Everything looks better after a good night sleep.
I use #3 all the time on myself and my kids. Do this because you want that. I may not like cleaning, but if I want a clean house, I must clean. And you can try to make the process as fun as possible(turn it into a game, etc), but sometimes only concentrating on the result will get you through. What you are willing to go through depends on how badly you want it.
Willpower is one of those wide encompassing phrases that deals with a lot of factors. Take for example these NYTimes articles. This one is about decision fatigue and says that the more decisions you make the harder is to make them (resisting cookies makes you less able to resist other things) and in this article they say how much willpower you have depends on whether you think willpower is limited or not.
And even better is to avoid situations where willpower is needed altogether. Keep anything that is a temptation out of sight or somewhere where you have to work really hard to get it or don't bring it into the house at all. Skip the ice cream social if you must.
Keep up the good work! Your willpower does inspire the rest of us. :)
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