Will Power...what is it and why do we have it or not have it?

So I am doing the new Weight Watchers and I love it.  It doesn't mean though that I don't have moments where I am just hungry and well, it isn't the time to eat.....

It happens, everyone has their weaknesses and some people give in sometimes, almost never and almost always!

Will power is a funny thing.  It isn't tangible, we can't hold it, we can't see it....we just must enforce it in our lives or not.

I see will power as denying yourself something that is wanted but not needed...and it can apply to a lot of things in life really.  A lot of people associate will power with food but it applies to relationships, shopping, drinking, really, many things.

Let's start with food first of all because I think that is a big one and really depending on what your vice is, will power may come into play here the most...or not!!
Before I made the decision to lose weight, I didn't deny myself anything.  I ate with free will; now that isn't to say guilt didn't accompany the eating but I never stopped because of it, my god, are you mad!?  This was my life and my body and if I wanted to eat the entire bag of sour cream and onion ruffles, then dammit, I would...*mmm sour cream and onion ruffles*.  Shit, what was I talking about?  Ah yes, but once I made the decision to lose weight I became a will power rock star!!!!
During my initial weight loss which was also assisted by Weight Watchers (and the gym), I didn't even eat a hard candy if it wasn't within my daily alloted points.  I meant business.  I didn't deny myself when I felt an intense urge but I always made sure it fit into my points.

Since that time, I have mostly behaved during the week and ate a bit more freely on the weekends.  I have had times such as in 2007 where I knew it was time to get serious again and I lost about 20 pounds and right now in my life, I am having another stage where I am getting serious...but thankfully it didn't get too out of hand, I am just tightening the reins.
This cleanse also demonstrated to me my will power and it's mighty, well, power.

I feel will power is a choice and this is just my opinion.  You either choose to eat the brownie or you choose not to.  It is up to you.  You most likely don't need that brownie (unless your cupboards are maybe otherwise bare) and to eat it is a choice.  Not to say it is bad if you do because maybe it is a treat or what not but if you are just eating to eat it, that might be a lack of will power or restraint, if you will.

Weight watchers works for me because it gives me control and feeds into my will power.  Some people say they don't want to spend their lives counting points, okay well don't and hopefully you find what works for you but this is what works for me and the control I get from it makes me feel better as soon as I restart the program!  There is definitely a psychological aspect to it for me.

Now let's talk a bit about will power in other things.

Let's take relationships for example.  People are in toxic relationships, people are in relationships where they aren't treated like they should be, people are in relationships where they are super happy, of course there are all different kinds.  Breaking up and getting back together constantly or accepting things because well it is easier, that might have something to do with will power, mixed in with a bunch of other complicated factors.
I have often times had the lack of will power when it comes to saying I am sorry.  It isn't as bad now, but it used to be MUCH worse.  I am someone who craves peace in a relationship, I hate arguments and fighting, almost too much.  This has led to my past problem, saying I am sorry when I didn't do anything wrong just to ensure peace.  Now this would apply to both friendships and romantic relationships.   To combat this, I have had to use will power to stop myself from saying sorry.  Sometimes it is okay and necessary to say it but other times, it isn't healthy and things will just naturally work themselves out without the constant "I am sorry".  Some people are extreme the other way and never choose to say "I am sorry" which is just as bad as most extremes can be!

Shopping, oh dear!  Now this is where I have a bit of a problem!!  Unless money is really on my mind (and it is these days with so much going on or coming up), I have a tendency to buy things I want regardless.  Not extravagant big ticket items but just jeans when I find ones that fit nicely, fun new make-up or shoes I don't need or yet another jacket to go with the 20 I already have.  I have a particularly hard time with lululemon!  A place where the price is high and you would think, umm no way in hell I am spending $100 for a hoodie.  For some damn reason, that doesn't really enter my head in that store.  It is like I am in a luon haze!!  Now take me to another store where there is a hoodie for $100 and I am like, WTF, as if I would pay that!!??  So that is one place where my will power seems to be non existent sadly.  I wish this were applicable to somewhere like Giant Tiger not expensive lululemon! :(

I guess I wrote this because an element of Weight Watchers is about will power because no one is forcing you to follow the program, you have to want it.  You have to be dedicated and determined and in the right mind set and yes, a big part of this is enforcing will power.  Even going to the gym requires will power, to get off that comfy couch and go put your body through discomfort, it doesn't sound fun and well sometimes it isn't but it again, is a choice!

What do you have issues enforcing your will power with or where do you display great will power!?  Leave me your comments! :)

I would also love it if you want to take a couple of minutes and create a login and officially "follow me" (if you aren't already and if you are, THANKS)!  You don't have to of course but I would love to see who my blog is reaching!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Until next time...xx