Willpower

shivaslives

I heard a great interview on public radio this morning with the author of a new book called "Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength". They were discussing willpower and weight loss and I thought there were a few very interesting points that I would share.
1. People who give themselves continuous feedback on results are more likely to succeed. One study showed that people who weighed themselves everyday were more successful at losing weight than those who only weighed themselves once a week.
2. In order for your brain to function optimally and exercise willpower, it must have glucose. If you are not getting enough nutrition, than your resolve will weaken; a dietary Catch-22. Sounds like one more good reason to eat back those exercise calories and ensure your daily deficit isn't too low.
3. The author mentioned that the people with the best success set moderate, reasonable goals, like 1 lb a week. This goal would also ensure that brain's getting enough fuel.
4. People that exhibit the most willpower construct their lives to routinely avoid situations that test their resolve and so they have a store of willpower for when they really need it.

Sounded intriguing and makes we want to read the book.


Advice is worth exactly what you pay for it.

sc1572

I agree with all of it, except weighing everyday. My weight changes day to day based on what I ate the day before, how much water I had, etc. so that's why I weigh every 1-2 weeks, same time, wearing the same thing.

missym112

Sounds interesting! I may have to check it out. Do you know who the author is?

Nana_Booboo

Thanks for sharing.

I can't do the "weigh every day" thing.

My weight effects my mood way to easy.

Stinkybug

1. People who give themselves continuous feedback on results are more likely to succeed. One study showed that people who weighed themselves everyday were more successful at losing weight than those who only weighed themselves once a week.

I weigh everyday at the same time in the morning wearing the same thing. I have tried to loose weight many, many times before, but never really lost weight or kept it off until I started to weigh everyday. I understand that there can be a 1-2 lb difference, so I don't let that bother me. It does help to keep me on track.

shivaslives

Roy Baumeister is the author. It looks like its not as new as I thought but was published in August 2011.

Alyshe

I'll try weighing my self daily. Maybe it will work for me. Good post.