Do you need more willpower?

Do you need more willpower? 

I remember the years of yo-yo dieting. 

Down 5 lbs - up 10 or 15...and more.  

I remember telling myself that if I just had more willpower, I would be able to lose the weight and keep it off.  What wrong with me?  Why do I cave and have so little willpower? 

That was then - this is now!

Now I know that willpower isn't the answer.  

Willpower is like trying to hold a beach ball under the water.  I can do it for awhile, until I get tired or distracted and then, BOOM!  It explodes into the air! 

When I tried to use willpower to avoid certain types of food, I was using resistance and restriction in a way that, in the end, led to an explosion of binging and overeating that food and more! 

Then I would beat up on myself and feel guilt and shame.  

No wonder I overate and gained it all back, plus some. 😔😞

When the lights came on, I saw this destructive cycle for what it was. Self abuse. 

So if willpower wasn't working, what did I need to do? Is there a better way? YES

Now I remind myself of the love and care with which I am created, the forgiveness that has been provided for me and the power of the Spirit which indwells me.  

One of the Fruit of the Spirit is self-control.  

The difference between self-control and willpower is the mindset. 

Self-control that comes from a place of love, gentleness and patience grows and grows the more I practice it. 

Willpower that comes form a place of self-loathing, gets less and less and less, the more I exhaust it. 

Willpower is me fighting against me. 

Self-control is me partnering with the Holy Spirit within me.  

Gal 5:23 gentleness, and self-control. There are no laws against things like that.

Do I still have urges and cravings? Sometimes

The difference now is that I don't respond out of resistance, but out of awareness.  I notice the urge, I understand that it is a physical response to a thought.  The feeling that accompanies that thought is a natural reaction that I can allow without complying to.  I get curious about this reaction.  I understand the the cortisol response (stress response) will last about 90 seconds.  

With gentleness and from a place of love,  I remind myself of what I value - my health, my vitality, my wholeness.  

Before I know it, the urge has passed.  

Instead of feeling exhausted from using willpower, I feel rejuvenated from the well-being that comes form self-control.

Every day I help women realize how worthy they are. Together we create effective strategies for managing stress and their extra weight.  I would love to help you, too.

It's easy, just click here and schedule a free strategy session with me. Schedule Here

You will be glad you did. 

Thank you for choosing to honor your commitment to yourself and your future,

Peggy