NSV of self control

Not too long ago, my husband was telling me about a radio clip he heard on NPR about willpower. The expert they had speaking was discussing the idea that willpower is like a muscle -- it doesn't strengthen if you don't use it. He explained that this is why so many people fail miserably when they set big goals for themselves -- they don't have the self control to accomplish them -- YET. He suggested intentionally putting yourself in mild situations where you would have to practice self control to gradually it build up. He gave the example of someone wanting to lose eight keeping a candy bar in the house and intentionally NOT eating it.

I bought my candy bar (Milky Way Simply Caramel) TWO WEEKS ago, and I haven't eaten it, despite the temptation it presents every time I sit down at my computer desk, where it resides. I gotta say, it's good to continually remind myself that just because I WANT to eat something doesn't mean I WILL, doesn't mean I HAVE to.

I understand that this exercise is not for everyone, but I'd highly recommend it for others who are at a similar stage of trying to learn self-control.