Living The Lifestyle, Tuesday September 7, 2021

88olds

We meet here to explore, share, celebrate and (sometimes) agonize over how we do (or don't) incorporate weight loss guidelines into our daily lives. "It's a lifestyle, not a diet" is easily and often said, but sometimes not so simply put into practice.

This is a thread for everyone. If you're new to GoaD, or to weight loss, your questions and comments are always welcome. If you're maintaining, or a long-term loser, your thoughts on the topic may be just what someone else needs to hear. If you're reading this, join in the discussion!

Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion.

Monday - crewahl (Charlie)
Tuesday – 88Olds
Wednesday -
Thursday -
Friday - Al_Howard

Today's Topic: Willpower

What’s your take on willpower? Do you have it? Are we born with it or can is be acquired? Is it the source of all weight loss success or failure? Or is it just one weapon in your arsenal? If we lack it, can we get by without it?

88olds

I look on willpower as a single weapon or even a strategy to be used in certain ways or situations. A problem with it is that it can wear out pretty fast and needs time or recover.

What willpower is not is a test of my character. Making weight loss about character ups the ante in unhelpful ways. I think weight loss gets down to mostly problem solving.

I think a mistake people make is always using willpower in conjunction with “just say no.” I try to make plans to stay away from “just say no” if I can. What do I mean? My plan involves snacks, indulgences and treats. All accounted for. But I have stick to the plan including the correct portion. That frequently takes a bit of willpower. But I find it much easier than sticking to a no, full stop,

crewahl

Willpower, like motivation, is a fickle mistress. When you need her, she won’t be there for you. And why do we call it willpower when most of the time it's actually won’tpower?

As I think about it, willpower seems almost “anti-reason”. It’s saying that because I said X, I’m going to do X - period, full stop. It doesn’t consider whether there’s a better alternative or solution. It’s a commitment to a commitment for the sake of the commitment. In some situations that’s a good thing, maybe, but I suspect even General Patton retreated once or twice from a position.

Maybe I exercise willpower, but I prefer to cast it in the vein of making choices. I don’t “just say no” to foods like pizza, but I do say “not now”. I know that pizza generally doesn’t stop with one slice for me, so I tend to say “not now”. That means I’m preserving the option to make a different decision at a different time. Sometimes, if there’s one slice of pizza left, it’s “now!” because there’s no “rest of the pizza” to eat.

I agree with George about willpower wearing out. I’ve said in the past that I have a finite amount of “no” in me, so I have to use it judiciously. If I run out of “no” at the wrong time - like at the Dunkin Donuts drive through - I’ll end up saying yes when I should have said “not now”.

Good question, George. 👍

podkey

There has been some excellent research indicating that "willpower" is way overrated. The idea of "just say no" really doesn't do much. The ability to change our minds in a different direction does help. Rearranging your environment and putting temptations out of sight and out of mind help.
google Stanford marshmallow test and follows-ups. When children were able to take their minds elsewhere they did much better.
Planning and removing temptations from view help me.

Al_Howard

This week's WW theme is on "not right now" Set a timer for 5 min,. and go do or think about something else. When the timer goes off, decide to eat, or not. It is then a rational, decision (we hope) rather than a spontaneous or mindless eating.

misterhub

I prefer discipline and habit over willpower. Use the discipline to develop the habit - then use willpower as needed - which shouldn't be often if you're using the first two effectively.