Most people that try to diet fail. I have. People get discouraged too easily and give up. I don’t. I keep trying because I learn something from every failure. Compliance with a nutrition or an exercise program can be extremely challenging. Self control is a finite resource. If we use all our self control trying to beat a craving for pizza, we stand a good chance of falling victim to the next grilled cheese that crosses our path.
I have a guilty pleasure of reading and listening to books about self improvement. Jack Canfield, Bob Proctor, Zig Ziglar, Tony Robbins, Napoleon Hill, etc. are just a few of the authors that I turn to for words of encouragement. It so happens that this month I have been doing “Flexible Dieting” or “Counting Macros” and coincidentally I started listening to a Zig Ziglar book. I don’t know if it’s related or not, but I find it much easier to stay compliant and exercise self control when listening to Ziglar. Maybe the two things aren’t related but I think there is some benefit to having someone tell you how awesome you when you want to get down on yourself and cheat on your diet.
There is power in words and power in community and power in who you surround yourself with. Doing a nutrition challenge with the gym is good when everyone is in communication and supporting each other. It feels more normal when you’re eating out with friends and you all order salads and pull out your phones and take pictures of your food and plug your meal into your apps. Positive self talk is a great tool to keep you focused as well. I heard that listening to motivational speeches increases your dopamine, endorphin and seratonin levels. So that might help explain that this might be more than a coincidence.
If you want to succeed you have to conspire and plan. Surround yourself with the right people and fill your ears and brain with the right words and thoughts. Every little bit helps.