where do you get will power from?

Question

and how can i lose weight when im addicted to food...its what i turn to in order to feel good...it makes me feel so good at the time...but then so bad afterwards.....this is a cry for help......i feel like im going to be one of those people who wake up one morning and weigh 300 pounds...how do you wanna change? how do you stop finding exuses....when will i be ready????

Answer 1

Great question. People often tell me that I'm more successful with my weight control than they because I have stronger willpower.

I get the same urges and temptations as anyone else. I'd loved to inhale a fresh donut or cookie whenever I get the chance, but I've found ways of overriding those urges. Here are a few tips:

-Don't completely deprive yourself of your vices. Allow yourself to have some of it in moderation but decide on the amount beforehand. When you do eat it, slow down and take time to enjoy every bite. I love chocolate and I've learned to have a little each day in the form of Hershey's dark kisses. And, actually, after having it every day in small amounts I don't seem to be nearly as tempted when I see it elsewhere.

-When I do pass things up, because I feel it would exceed my "moderation" rule, I'm able to get past it by thinking about how much exercise the food equates to. In fact, the best exercise you can do is a "table pushaway".

-Prioritize what you really like. A lot of us think we like a lot of things, but when it comes down to it there's probably only 2 or 3 things that we really, really like and the rest just gives us some marginal pleasure, meaning that we eat it and then think - "that wasn't nearly as good as I was anticipating." Keep that in mind before you are about to bite off a hunk of something, "is this really on my top foods list?" Remember the foods that don't fulfill the anticipation so you don't have to waste calories on those foods.

-Learn to like good foods. Apples, pears, mango, bananas are really good tasting foods. A grilled onion brushed with a little olive oil is a good tasting food. Keep these in mind before spluring on other things.

-Keep yourself satiated. Eat a healthy and balance meal or snack every 3-4 hours. We are much more likely to binge when we're famished.

-Stay aware of your food intake and aware of your feeling of fullness. Before, when I had a few extra pounds I ignored my feelings of fullness and just kept plowing through my food until it was gone. Now, I ask myself every couple of minutes if I'm satisfied. If so, I slow or stop eating and wait for 3-5 minutes. I figure if I'm still hungry after 3-5 minutes I can start eating again. But, usually, by that time the urge to eat has gone.

I hope this helps. Please visit my blog for more ideas on weight control.

Answer 2

I weighed 220 lbs not long ago and I felt miserable all the time. Not only that but my health was suffering in a big way since I had a heart bypass operation. I had put off exercising and I was addicted to food especially when I felt down and depressed. I woke up one morning and decided in my mind I was going to work out that very day and watch what I ate. I did these two things even though it was hard for me. I made myself keep it up and I lost 60 lbs in 6 months. I have been careful evern since then to continue eating healthy foods and exercising and also drinking at least 4 to 6 glasses of water a day. Trust me...it will work for you but you have to decide to do these things every day yourself. There is no magic formula and diets don't help.

Answer 3

Hi Michelle!

I believe you have more will power than you think.

You get up in the morning to go to work. You brush your teeth before bed, you dress yourself. This may seem a little silly but my point is that you get will power from building habits. Thus, if you build a healthy eating and exercising habit, it doesn't take a lot of will power after that.

You also need to create reprecussions for yourself it you don't do the desired behavior. For example, if you don't show up for work, you get fired. This is negative reinforcement that works. Try positive reinforcement for your goals. For example, what do you really want, maybe an outfit or a vacation. Tie this goal to losing ten pounds. That can give you some will power.

I also suggest that you find someone knowledgeable to encourage and motivate you to help you reach your goal. This really helps.

I believe this answers your question, but if not, you may email me.

Good luck on your diet and fitness goals!

Trainer Gregg
[e-mail]
"You can achieve anything you set your mind on."

Answer 4

It is an addiction, How would you tell someone to quit smoking?
The same chemicals are produced in the brain that are with any other addiction. When a person quits smoking he has to deal with his cravings one at a time. Each craving has to be dealt with on that cravings own terms(length it lasts). You have to develop a personal plan to deal with the cravings, practice not giving in, (will power) practice, practice, practice, helps you get it right. What is a practice for these cravings?
You have to tell yourself that you will not let the craving win. You can drink a glass of water instead. Even when you do not have a craving you need to practice this, prepare yourself for a craving. just keep telling yourself that the craving is trying to kill you and you will not give in. It is a battle inside your own mind, that is how you develop "will power". After a long period of practiceing you will not even have to think about it cause it will become a part of you. Then start practicing eating healthy, become a health geek.

Answer 5

A good way to start is to set a goal for yourself for one week. Eat healthier for that one week and exercise at least 3 times that week...and see how much better you feel! Just do it on a week to week basis after that, it makes it easier setting short term goals than long ones. It will also help to find a workout regimen that you really like. For me, I HATE going to the gym! So I started doing yoga...so far I like it and it is supposed to really help. You could also start subscribing to SELF magazine and read it faithfully. Once you are more educated on what the foods you are eating can do to you, you will be more likely to make better choices in the future. It sounds like you are basically ready to start living a healthy lifestyle!! I love food too....but there are SO many healthy meals out there that are delicious. There is a cookbook called Eating for Life (by some big time fitness guy...I can't remember his name) but basically all of the food in there is yummy, easy to make, and super good for you!! Good luck with this....everyone on the planet knows how hard it is!! Just make a promise to yourself to be healthier...even if just a little bit!

Answer 6

ok, i went from a size 14 to a 6 in two years. How? I did it. Why? Cause moron husband cheated on me with a girls 6 yrs younger than me. You want to wait till something like that happens to you?
Listen, it's YOUR body, the one that's supposed to last at least 75 years, in good condition. It's your health, and your self-esteem. If i were to look for you asking for help, i'm quite sure you'd go out of your way to help me, so why can't you start helping yourself? Any time you do something and then regret it, it's cause it's not right. You do NOT need to over eat, you do NOT need to feel discouraged every time your clothes don't fit. You gotta start loving yourself and the body God gave you, if you don't do something about it, nobody else can. If you want to talk to me, you can send me an email and i'll help you, but the ultimate decision is yours.

Answer 7

Take it easy girl friend all you have to do is slow down. When you get the urge to eat something look at it real close and say ,How
does that look in pounds and inches on me. It's
at all easy losing weight staying where
you want to be. There are a lot of ways and
you can lose weight or stop putting it on if you relax and take a second look?

Answer 8

I don't know the answer but you're not alone. I try to do something everyday toward my goals. Everyone can have relaxation and indulgence but in moderation. You have to give the right choice enough TIME to make you feel good. Weather it's losing weight or finishing school, nothing is accomplished overnight. I write the word "Focus" down everywhere.... I have in my room, on my cell phone, on my myspace page... Just so that everyday I focus on my goals longterm and take steps everyday to succeed. Good luck!!

Answer 9

Hi,
I've tried all different diets, and the weight loss is only temporary. I finally tried diet pills on the market are made from Hoodia. I saw this stuff on ABC News. It's all natural and safe, and it works! My wife took it for a month and dropped 20 pounds. I took it for a month and lost about 13 (but I didn't exercise).

I bought the natural hoodia from this website: http://www.alllsite.info/free-diet-pills.php . I checked the web site address so I can post it here and I saw they're running a promotion now to get a free 2 week sample for only $4.97! I'm going to order this supply for my wife and give it to her for Christmas =)

Answer 10

If you want to lose weight you will have to be dedicated to your need to diet.Will power is inner strength,and being focused on what you want to achieve.If you want something bad enough,you will fight what your mind is telling you do,which is eat.Only you will know when you are ready.Good luck,it's going to be a hard uphill battle.But you must focus on what you are after,you can achieve most things if you want to,and be proud of your achievement.It will not be a quick process,but in the end you will see benefits. Good luck and don't give in to temptation.