Just about the time that December hits, we are already asking ourselves if spring is right around the corner as camping ourselves on the couch becomes a regular occurrence.

With the majority of the New Year’s resolutions focused on diet, exercise, and general health and wellness how can we help those resolutions get off the couch and into gear?

If your good intentions are beginning to eye the comfy spot, let’s start with some easy exercises that may be able to help you get the most out of those “other” exercises – the ones that actually make you sweat.

Recent research has provided us with evidence that willpower is not just a virtue, but actually mirrors a strength model.

Like a muscle, if you strengthen it you can be more prepared to deal with life’s little challenges, like that voice in your head that tells you that the couch is comfortable, your pillow is soft or that one serving of ice cream (just one a day, right?) is what you deserve for eating a large chef salad at lunch.

In regards to making our willpower stronger, here are some specific suggestions to capitalize on this strength training model as reported by Roy Baumeister, PhD in 2003:

• Willpower is a mind-body response and not a frame of mind so knowing how to pause and plan when faced with challenges is strategically important. Make a habit out of stopping and thinking when faced with decisions between healthy and unhealthy choices. Mom’s adage of counting to 10 is a good rule of thumb.

• When we practice using willpower it does deplete our body’s resources. Essentially, if we are taking care of ourselves: eating well, getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, exercising; then we are better prepared for those tiny assaults on our willpower. Resisting the bowl of chocolates in the office will be a little easier.

• Willpower is limited. If you “spend” it all getting up for an early morning workout, then it may be more difficult to resist supersizing those fries later in the day. Pacing yourself is a good motto when exercising your heart and exercising your willpower.

• Willpower can be trained and strengthened. This is the most important to remember right now. If you use these simple strategies and recognize the challenges you will be more successful no matter what wellness program you have chosen to follow.

We are all inundated with a variety of recommendations for healthy lifestyle choices. If this information comes from reputable, certified sources then you should pay attention. Always talk with your primary health care provider about any concerns or questions. There are hundreds of programs and sources of information that will help you make informed decisions regarding your health and wellness. Being able to follow through with those programs is in part, due to our willpower.

So strengthen it, keep it strong, and before you know it the healthier you will be off the couch and enjoying new energy and a new perspective.

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