The Will Power Myth

The first, most important point I share with folks who are struggling is that the idea of using "will power" alone to loose weight is a myth.  The important truth missing here is that humans have evolved over tens of thousands of years mostly through food scarcity.  It is essentially written in the code of your DNA and every cell to seek food - and food that is highly packed with quickly accessible energy is even better .  AKA Donuts.  This is especially true when you are feeling highly stressed and your cortisol levels are high.  The primal human in you interprets this as facing a danger that requires a quick energy surge.  These episodes of facing danger would come and go for your early ancestors.  Today, however, many people live in an almost constant state of high stress and the off switch has become broken over time.

So imagine this:  You are in the break room standing over a box of donuts.  You are tired - didn't sleep well, argued with your teenager on the way out the door, are facing a deadline that your boss just reminded you about.  Translation - need the energy from that donut.  Eat donut.

That part is predictable - what happens next is the biggest problem.  Because you believe "will power" is real thing, you start to feel that you are weak, you feel shame, and a sense of self loathing washes over you.  Nothing good will ever come from this negative cycle.

Thinking you can easily override this appetite system that makes you human, is kind of absurd.  You can't.  But you can learn to understand it and use it to your advantage.  If you can re-frame your thoughts about yourself into a place of love and compassion for the amazing human body that has given you so much, you will make different decisions.  When you love and cherish something - don't you treat it more kindly?  Finding this love and appreciation for your body is the most important thing you can do to start making better decisions.

Should be easy - but why is it not?  We have to recognize that Western medicine is based around an idea that you are flawed and need something to "fix" you. It is a battle against self mentality.  I'm here to tell you not to wage war against your own body - join forces with it.  As partners you will achieve way more.  Form an alliance with self.


Test my appetite and stress theory:
On a day you are facing many demands at work and/or home. Keep note of your appetite. What foods do you choose?  What do you crave?
On a day that you have off from most of these demands, a relaxing Saturday perhaps, make the same observations.  How are your food choices different?  How is your relationship with food different on these days?