Every day is an adventure!

Some days, I stick to using willpower to say NO when I know I should say NO and I feel like I'm on top of the world; some days I feel like I have a finite amount of will power and just one more "opportunity" to exercise my willpower will lead me to a bad spot. Today was the latter.

We had an ice cream social at work and I had to be one of the people to help greet and thank all the team member (which is a role that I love); I made myself a nice mug of hot tea before I went in and didn't even give a sideways glance to the ice cream! Go willpower!

After work I had to run by the grocery to get some PP for my coffee in the morning...it's not my usual grocery, it's the only one in the area that stocks my favorite Home Run Inn pizza.....but after realizing I was thinking "I could get the pizza and just eat the topping" I walked my butt to the checkout line with my shakes and got the heck out of there. Go willpower! Unfortunately, in the checkout line, on the way to the car, I saw all the chocolate, the brownies, all the crap. I kept walking past it but for the first time since surgery I'm annoyed and irritated to an extreme by all the food options. I don't want them....but I don't want to have to remind myself that I don't want them!

I honestly feel if there was one more choice in front of me today, I would make the wrong one!

My question - do you think willpower gets stronger the more you use it...or is there a finite amount so if you put too many choices in your day, the likelihood of making a wrong one gets higher? I feel both ways, depending on the minute I think.

I'm making another cup of tea, taking a bubble bath and going to bed early. I know the fact that I woke up exhausted and that it's been a really long week with a few long days to come is probably causing some of my willpower and agitation issues. Water and sleep will make everything better!

Thanks for listening to my venting!

I actually tell myself "NO" out loud, and TELL myself why I'm considering a bad choice.

For me, hearing myself say it aloud seems to help.

Also, I drink a crapload of water all day long. LOL

I've actually read somewhere that research leans toward the finite amount of willpower theory. Every time you have to say no to some food, it gets harder. So my opinion is that anything to reduce the amount of times you have to pull on that willpower is a good thing.

I find the whole willpower thing difficult, the stop at the store, and think I could just buy X, work is pretty easy as I've only got what I bring, I keep some extra cheese in the fridge (Babybel, 1 oz cheddar) for the late afternoon munchies if they occur. I'm probably eating a few too many carbs, but as long as the weight is coming off I figure I'm good.

Interesting question... some days I have lots of will-power and nothing will make me go for something I'm craving (it seems endless on those days), but other days it isn't as strong and to resist I have to resort to things like drinking coffee, taking a walk etc. I think it might be partially mood that is affecting it, but it has to be more than that.

Today, I have my willpower re-charged and, to cover all the bases, I'm going to avoid as many scenarios that make me have to choose as possible. I will be happy to get to the weekend!!

You're doing great! Glad you had a good nights sleep and feel "recharged".

Change your relationship with food. I sometimes think - man I'd love a.... (fill in the blank). Then I think about what is activating that thought and do something else. Take a walk, take a break or make some hot tea... Over time I have found that most things that trigger me don't appeal anymore. I'm far from perfect, but find that I'm less and less tempted as I get more and more towards my goal. I honestly think differently about food, but it took time and practice. You have to think about the categories of food that work for you and those that don't. Then change your focus away from thinking about it. I was a caramel corn junkie. I even went to a candy store last week to buy a gift. I had a bag of their unbelievable caramel corn in my cart. But when I got to the register I just laughed when I went to put it by the register and told the woman it must have just jumped in and could she put it back. I honestly didn't want it, but it still called out for a moment. I practice everyday. Good luck.