Posted: Wednesday, January 27, 2016 7:00 am
The grocery stores were packed, the gas station lines were crazy, and I headed home to get candles out to get ready for the Blizzard of 2016. Thank goodness this area did not get exactly what the weathermen predicted.
The last blizzard we had in this area our power was out for six days. The first couple of days were enjoy-able. All the girls were home and we enjoyed playing games, talking and sleeping by the gas logs. It was kind of like “Little House on the Prairie.” On day three we were over it! We were all grouchy had cabin fever. We were ready for the power to return.
The last couple of days I have been in the house more than usual so that was nice for a change. I cruised through Facebook a couple of times and noticed that it was beginning to look like a cookbook. So many recipes, and videos about food. Just throw it all in the bowl, mix it up and you have a delicious meal and dessert. Unfortunately, not all the meals were healthy, in fact most were not
Honestly, willpower is limited and will only get you so far. A growing body of research shows that resisting repeated temptations takes a mental toll. Ever wonder why it’s so much easier to start your day with a healthy breakfast and a morning workout? Because at the end of an energy-sapping day you just want to go home eat comfort food and go to bed. Think of willpower as a muscle that gets fatigued from overuse. Conserve it as much as possible.
Conserve will power by not looking at tempting pictures of foods for long periods of time. Here are some other strategies that might help you.
>> Willpower is strongest at the beginning of the day. It tends to wane as the day goes on. This would be a great reason to do your exercise first thing in the morning if possible.
>> Eliminate distractions: In a world of constant noise, it is important to find some silence during your day. Trying to concentrate while reading texts messages, checking Facebook, or talking on the phone just zaps willpower. Unplug from technology during the day if you need to concentrate on something im-portant.
>> Do not skip meals: It’s important to fuel your brain with healthy foods throughout the day. Studies show that people whose blood sugar (aka glucose) is elevated to a healthy level, as it is after regular meals, have more self-control and can more easily resist junk food. Try to eat a little something every four hours so blood sugar levels do not drop. Healthy snacks in between meals are a good idea if you are going to go over four hours between meals. Snacks such as nuts, or nut butter on whole wheat bread, Greek yogurt with fruit or a small salad will do the trick.
>> Don’t sweat the small stuff: Some things are just not worth getting all stressed out about. Stress will zap your willpower like nothing else. Take a walk outside, get some fresh air, clear your mind.
>> Plan ahead: Get your gym bag ready the night before. Put your workout schedule on your calendar or phone. Do not wait until the morning of to make a decision if you are going to go to the gym. Have it all set out and ready to go. No wasted willpower here, save it for the hard decisions.
>> Friends don’t let friends squander their willpower: Peer Pressure is alive and well at any age! Never discount the influence that the friends you choose can have on your health and wellness. “We have evolved to unconsciously imitate those around us,” sais James Fowler, PhD, a professor of medical genetics and political science at the University of California, San Diego, and a coauthor of “Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives.”
Research found that if the person sitting next to us eats a lot, we’re more likely to overindulge as well. Even pals who live hundreds of miles away can affect our habits. “Friends share information about behavior on Facebook and Twitter,” Fowler said. Similarly, our buds can get us excited about exercise. “If your friend takes up running and says, ‘Hey! I’ve got more energy,’ it may encourage you to start, too,” Fowler said.
See you in the gym!
Linda Stollings is owner of fitPrescriptions, a corporate wellness health coaching company. Email her at lstollings@fitprescriptions.com.
