The Illusion of Willpower: Embracing Responsibility and Growth
When it comes to dieting, many individuals struggle to follow through with their food plans and often attribute their failures to one single factor: willpower. Some argue that willpower doesn’t exist at all—it’s simply a matter of making a choice and sticking to it.
On the other hand, some view willpower as a mystical force within ourselves that guides our decision-making. Perhaps you don’t have a strong opinion about willpower but find comfort in using it as an excuse whenever you make a wrong food choice.
However, when you find yourself rummaging through the refrigerator at 2 o’clock in the morning and end up devouring an entire chocolate pie, it’s not a lack of willpower to blame—it’s a decision you made and should take responsibility for.
But here’s the crucial point: you shouldn’t attach guilt to that decision. Just because you hold yourself accountable for a slip-up in your dieting journey doesn’t mean you should beat yourself up and label yourself as a failure.
Instead, recognize that there’s a middle ground you can find and stick to when facing the internal battle between giving in and quitting or staying on the path to success.
You may crave that chocolate pie, even though your diet strictly forbids sweets. Instead of succumbing to the dieter’s excuse of lacking willpower and devouring the entire pie in under two minutes, grant yourself permission to indulge just a little. Even having a single slice would be a better choice than eight slices.
Take proactive measures by allowing yourself to learn, make mistakes, and recover. Mastering the art of healthy eating takes time—it’s not an overnight skill you can acquire.
Before making any decisions, even if they mean temporarily deviating from your diet plan, take sufficient time to contemplate the consequences. Avoid rushing into choices.
Even taking a momentary pause from your healthy eating habits can help solidify them in your daily routine. In today’s fast-paced world, we’re not naturally inclined to think before we eat. Often, we’re on the go, in a hurry, or engaging in other activities while making eating decisions.
Don’t let willpower, or the perception of its absence, overpower you. There’s no need to fear failure if you’re willing to take responsibility for your actions and learn from your mistakes, just as much as you celebrate your successes.