Willpower and Self Control

During this time of year when every social occasion is loaded with temptations to overindulge and every get together includes tables loaded with goodies screaming  “Eat Me,” I’ve reflected on willpower and self-control.  What is this attraction that pulls us in to partake and toss willpower out the window?  Why does it seem so easy for some and not others?  Why do we overdo it with food or drink only to feel guilty and powerless? 

There are many studies that have examined and analyzed self-regulation, restraint, and mastering impulses specifically pertaining to food.  Lo and behold, other than hunger most of our struggles occur in our brains.  It turns out that the limiting factor on willpower is…..willpower.  Based on studies, we seem only to have a finite amount of willpower and once “used up” we often give up.  Willpower fatigue we might call it.  That is why when we have avoided overeating or indulging in less than healthful food all day, we then find ourselves burying our faces in a plate of fettuccini Alfredo at night.  Our willpower fuel gauge reads EMPTY.  And we just go for it.

This depletion phenomenon is the reason that nutrition experts suggest that we not deny ourselves 100% of “forbidden” foods.  They suggest having a bite, a small taste, a single cookie rather than a plateful.  It seems as though the answer resides in our heads, just like so very many of life’s complexities.  Once we are aware, we can make slight changes.  No guilt involved.