Pressing the "Reset Button"

Anyone concerned with sustained health through proper nutrition and fitness already knows or will soon find out that regimentation is of great importance.  Due to the societal "norms" of American consumption of foods and the apparent ability to make a living without physical output, one must step outside of these "norms".  I like what writer Joel Salatin says in his popular book Folks, This Ain't Normal, the way we live now is not normal based on human physical design. 

Yes, we must create a new normal or even better go back to the "old normal" where we avoided many illnesses of today simply by eating health safe food and much more physical movement.  Because this is not normal today, we have to build a regiment that keeps our bodies well nourished and physically fit.  But because this isn't normal, we sometimes find ourselves in the company of friends and associates that influence us (not necessarily with ill intent) to get off of our regiment onto that slippery slope that leads to loss of nourishment and fitness.  When we find ourselves in this position, we must at the very next opportunity press that "reset button" that puts us right back on our regiment.

Here are some tips for resetting after you have "slipped":

1. Visualize your goals regarding how you want to look and feel.
2. Take the very next opportunity to exercise and element of your regiment.  If you fuel your body every 3 hours, then within 3 hours you have an opportunity to get back to your healthy eating plan.
3. If you exercise at a prescheduled time, let nothing stop you from making that workout schedule.  Your associates will respect you if you have to excuse yourself.
4. Create distance between you and anything that you are exposed to at the moment that is not in line with your regiment.  IE., food, drink...
5. Explain to your associates how important it is for you to "reset".  You may in turn be an influence to them.
6. Pray for strength. 

It is easy to allow too much time to pass while being stimulated by the pleasures of indulgences outside your regiment.  As soon as possible hit your "reset button" or you could find that you consider giving in.  Don't do it!  Take the steps above and enjoy sustained health and fitness!

What is Willpower?

Merriam-Webster defines willpower as "the ability to control yourself : strong determination that allows you to do something difficult (such as to lose weight or quit smoking)"  To further define the meaning, let's say it is the ability to forgo the momentary pleasure (what I want right now) for long term contentment (what I want most).  An example might be:  Right now I want this doughnut, but what I want most is to be disease free and energetic.  These two conflicting desires must be balanced and the conductor that balances them is willpower.

The interesting thing about willpower is that it is a system that can function at low or high levels depending on how strong it is at any given time, meaning willpower can be strengthened or allowed to weaken depending on how we exercise it.  Think of willpower as a system like your cardiovascular system that when worked and conditioned will allow you to do more work over extended periods of time; or similar to your muscular skeletal system that allows you to move more of a load when it is strengthened by lifting weights.  Your willpower system (muscle) will get stronger each time you use it (work it out).

 

For example, if you are out for dinner and everyone in your group orders unhealthy food, and you forego the temptation to eat what you see your party eat, you just made your willpower muscle stronger.  In a sense it got a workout.  The next time this temptation presents itself, you will be stronger, and it will be easier to avoid the temptations.  However, just like the cardiovascular system and muscular skeletal system the willpower system can get burned out and over-worked, in rare cases.  So keep in mind that the occasional break you give your will could pay off, making your willpower even stronger.  Look for opportunities to workout your willpower "muscle" today!