Everyday Systems

I'm reading a book call "The Willpower Instinct" (I think oolala took a class from the author and mentioned it in another thread) and this passage really jumped out at me:

"Because self-control also demands high levels of energy, some scientists speculate that chronic self-control— like chronic stress— can increase your chances of getting sick by diverting resources from the immune system. You heard it here first: Too much willpower can actually be bad for your health. You may be thinking: What about all that stuff in the first chapter about how important willpower is for health? Now you’re telling me self-control is going to make me sick? Well, maybe. Just like some stress is necessary for a happy and productive life, some self-control is needed. But just like living under chronic stress is unhealthy, trying to control every aspect of your thoughts, emotions, and behavior is a toxic strategy. It is too big a burden for your biology."

McGonigal Ph.D., Kelly (2011-12-29). The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It (p. 49). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

This is reinforcing (for me) that I need boundaries around the self-control thing and be conscious about when and where I spend those self-control "coins".

Part of this, I am going to admit, is setting up my life so I don't have to think or make decisions about certain things (Intelligent Dietary Defaults, anyone?)

I've had a cold since Christmas that just won't go away. Every time I think it's lightening up, it comes back again. I guess this is why, LOL!

I did mention her and was thinking of taking a 2-day class with her and 2 others, but it's pretty expensive. I actually bought her book after reading it from the library, and promptly never re-read it.

I think a fair amount of my success with No S has been because I have rather routine guidelines of the general makeup of my lunches and dinners (1/3-1/2 freggies and some other stuff), and it's a habit to keep the necessary foods around. I think that's what most traditional/slim cultures do. I have a set lunchtime at work (teacher), so there's not a lot of choice there, either. It's an asset. I also don't eat out that much, although I think at times I'd like to have more social reasons to do that, but it also saves me from a lot more thinking about my meals.