There are many stories played out on television shows and/or movies where the major plot lines are all about people fighting with others for “CONTROL”. That CONTROL can be in reference to:
- Monetary resources in a company, household or other
- Decision making for a company or family unit
- Other people
The list can go on and on and on as to the “CONTROL” we seek in life.
CONTROLLING ourselves is something we strive for in many aspects of our own lives. We seek CONTROL over:
- Work-related issues
- The expenditure of money
- The relative times we spend working vs. relaxing
- How much time we devote to our immediate family members
This list covering “SELF-CONTROL” may go on and on and on as well.
Clearly, from a weight control standpoint, exerting CONTROL over ourselves is a key component to our chances of losing weight AND keeping that weight off. On the surface, this would appear relatively easy, as no one pries our mouths open and against our cooperation, forcibly shove high-caloric foods down our throats. We have the ability to choose the types and amounts of foods/drinks we ingest.
So, with this CONTROL seemingly at our beck and call, why is over 70% of our population overweight/obese? There are many factors that go into this answer, including genetics, chemical cravings, stress factors and many other variables that impact our own self-control.
To a large degree, successful weight control involves winning the “fight” over control: The hedonistic, immediate gratification-seeking parts of our brains fighting against the intellectual parts of the brain that constantly implore us to place our health as a priority over the “feel-good” of the foods/drinks that create the weight control problem.
YOU can win this fight. Food does not control YOU!
Here is something I cannot control very well: Posting songs that accompany these blog entries that make 95% of you cringe due to not being with the times and the lack of “coolness”! Here is yet another one. Enjoy Albert Hammond (who?).
