Willpower is tested every day, whether it is hitting the snooze button rather than taking your early morning run or choosing fruit over a dessert. The decisions that lead to a healthier life are often difficult, and not having enough willpower is one of the top reason for people being unable to make healthy lifestyle changes.
In some surveys, 50 percent of respondents reported losing weight as a goal for the next year, and 50 percent wanted to eat a healthier diet, with the majority saying they wanted to take these steps in order to be healthier and feel better. However, in reality, people don’t always achieve their goals, and very few adults report being successful at making health-related improvements.
Part of the explanation for this may be that people struggle with having enough willpower. Willpower is the ability to delay gratification, resisting short-term temptations in order to meet long-term goals. One reason adopting healthy behaviours may be so difficult is that resisting temptation can take a mental toll. In fact, some experts liken willpower to a muscle that can get fatigued from overuse. The good news is that, like a muscle, willpower can be strengthened to help achieve lifestyle-related goals, such as eating healthy or losing weight.
If you feel that a lack of willpower is holding you back from achieving healthy goals, there are techniques that can help you strengthen your self-control.
- One goal at a time
It is more effective to focus on a single, clear goal rather than attacking a list of goals at once. Succeeding at the first goal will free up your willpower so it can then be devoted to the next goal. Focus on changing one health habit first whether it’s exercising more during the week or eating smaller food portions daily. - Behaviour modification
Monitor your behaviour toward your goal. Don’t let a slip-up take you off track. Make a reasonable plan to meet your goal and recommit each day to making progress toward that goal. If weight loss or healthy eating is your aim, track what you eat. Research shows that people who track their daily food intake are more likely to succeed at weight loss. - Seek support
Research shows that having support systems can help you reach your goals. Surround yourself with people you trust and who you know will be supportive of your goals and willing to help you succeed. Your body is capable of some impressive shit.
Admire it.
Challenge it.
“You supply the will, I’ll supply the way!”
