I've noticed a trend in my habits lately and I'm not yet sure what to make of it. I'm doing well all day long. I'm eating right, drinking lots of water, and trying to get some exercise during my lunch hour. I've done a great job not losing my temper at work even though it seems I get tested daily. I'm controlling it and the thought of smoking rarely enters my head anymore.
All is great... until about 4PM. It seems like sometime around 4PM each day I lose all my motivation. I stick it out for the rest of the workday and head home only to be ready to raid the fridge or talk the Mrs. into going out for dinner or biting my kids' heads off for no real reason. Today was similar; great day until I got home and then we went out for Chinese.
What I'm trying to decide is this... Am I expecting too much of myself this early in my journey or am I making excuses to do bad things at the end of the day. I've read before that we only have so much willpower each day, am I reaching my limits each day? Or is that total bull that I am using to justify not sticking to my plan?
To be honest, I'm a bit of a cynic and usually pretty tough on myself so my instinct tells me I'm just making excuses (and I probably am). However, I'm trying to think about things differently and take an approach that's not my usual "Suck it up!" attitude.
As I thought through the dilemma it dawned on me that the answer here really doesn't matter. It doesn't matter why; all that matters is that it happens. If it's because I am running on empty at the end of the day, then all I can do is accept what I've done and try harder tomorrow. Each day should get easier as long as I stay committed. If I'm just making excuses, then all I can do is accept what I've done and try harder tomorrow.
I guess my point is that there will be excuse days in my future and days when I just run out of willpower. They will happen no matter how hard I try to not let them happen. There's really no point in wasting energy trying to figure out why; keep that energy for tomorrow. Day #17 in the books, Here's to a brad new Day #18!
Stay Strong!
I have heard many times that will power is just like a muscle. If you use it every day, it gets stronger and stronger. But also if you have to use it a lot (especially when you are used to that sort of exercise) your will power muscle gets fatigued, leading to the 4pm slump. Just keep going, apparently it gets easier as you practise.
ReplyDeleteThe trick for me is to realize that today I am having to use will power, but eventually will power is no longer will power, but it is your norm. You won't even think about good food choices as needing will power to get there, you just do it. You no longer will yourself to be active, it is just what you do now. But the key is to be consistent in applying the will power until you get to the point that it those things are your norm.
ReplyDeleteI know one thing that has helped me tremendously is having my wife be on the bandwagon finally. Once we both got on the same page, this journey became exponentially easier!
It's nothing to do with will power it's just you have falling blood sugar, your body will do everything in its powers to stop this. Eat some fatty nuts half an hour before this normally happens and I'm sure it will help.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anonymous: Try having a small (but fortifying) snack each day @ 3:30. Nuts, particularly cashews or almonds will help tremendously!
ReplyDeleteTwo things help me in this situation: I keep a bag of raw, unsalted almonds in my desk and I bring a piece of fruit in my lunchbox for the afternoon. I'm not tempted to overeat the almonds (that's why I like that particular type - they aren't a trigger food for me), but that & a piece of fruit make a very satisfying snack.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I try to have my dinners pre-prepped, if not in the crock pot. That way when I get home, evne if I am starving, dinner is only a few minutes away. Faster (and cheaper!) than take-out!
As you go along, you'll identify obstacles (I know I do!). Try to brainstorm solutions that will keep you headed where you want to go! Take care!
The more you stick to it, the easier it will be. That being said, sometimes we have to outsmart ourselves. You know where your weak point kicks in, so start planning for it. Plan a walk, plan the dinner in advance, etc. Outsmart it! :)
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