Is will power a myth and what can we do about it, writes personal trainer in Maynooth, John Lark. Here are a couple of exercises that anyone can try.
Willpower?
Pure nonsense or at least in what we come to think of it.
Picture the scene….you open the fridge to the bar of fruit
and nut wrestling in between the half used pack of
butter and Tuesday’s leftovers.
Its Friday.
You are aware of it but it dawns on you that is must
be Friday and despite using your best intentions to
resist it you realize
”Hell it’s Friday so I deserve this”
Bye-bye bar.
Or at least the remaining 3/4 of it.
Those with will power can resist this urge.
This primal urge to want more, and more and more.
But not you because you are weak and lack willpower.
Well…
I get really frustrated and angry when I hear this story
and the ensuing guilt that follows.
Totally unnecessary because in essence it has nothing
to do with willpower.
You aren’t born with it.
You have the same level of will power as anyone else.
You see this is a skill that is acquired with practice.
Now realize that it takes time and there will be the
fruit and nut bar purge but over time the level of
will power improves.
Try buying a bar and playing a wee game of three a day.
Three squares a day.
No more, no less.
By now you realize that this is a little more sensible than
trying to resist the urges.
Instead you practice and develop your will power and
stay in control.
I know what its like (I too have a penchant for Green
and Blacks)
Now imagine that when you hit the fridge or the cupboard
you have complete control over your cravings.
You can now take it or leave it.
Your low self esteem, feelings of guilt will vanish in seconds
and not labor on for days on end.
You feel your confidence growing, and growing and growing.
Over time this simple habit leads to fewer calories
consumed of the sweet fatty stuff and you drop 10lbs
of fat.
Imagine losing 10lbs through this simple habit change.
Hard to believe eh?
But because you started off with the bigger picture in mind you are teeing yourself up for success.
It goes back to the simple stuff first. Diving head first into an exercise programme or full on nutrition and kitchen re vamp can often prove too much.
I spoke to a lady yesterday who was really struggling. Everything she had done in the past she had failed out after only a couple of weeks.
Disheartened was not the word. But after a few words in the ear, she was back on the horse and ready to take those baby steps.
I don’t know about you but when you think you have lost control of your body it really hurts. Despite ALL the things going great for your in your life.
So…Chunk it down. Find your weak links. And then get to work, bit by bit and more and more and more you will get there.
Another great exercise is to practice will power. When out get that dessert.
Try and leave most of it. Sacred, I know. But here is the beauty. Most of us will scoff the lot. I know I have on occasions. And then look at my wife’s with bulging eyes.
But practice leaving most of it.
Sure on occasions you will eat it all. But then over time you will regain control. This can mean the difference of you slipping into your size 12 skinnies or not.
Imagine the confidence you will feel as you take back control.
John Lark is owner of Sphere Fitness – call 01-5052131 to book your Strategy Call and see how we can help you http://spherefitness.ie
