Think of Calories Burned As Willpower Gained to Motivate You to Exercise
Instead of looking at a workout in terms of simple calories burned, think of it as “acquired willpower.” Willpower is limited, and more earnings give you more motivation and self-control in the short and long term.
A man named Antonio, whom I learned about listening to the audio version of Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal , professor of psychology at Stanford University, deserves credit for the idea. In it, Kelly discusses the strong connection between exercise and improving willpower , much of which gives us the mental strength and energy to work on things that matter to us, such as business, relationships, health, and so on.
Antonio was her student and categorically refused to exercise, despite the doctor’s orders. As a savvy business owner, the health benefits of exercise did not interest him as much as the prospect of developing willpower and energy. So he attached “willpower” to the calorie counter on his treadmill and began to think about all the willpower he could muster to tackle the tough tasks of the day. Not to mention the additional “side effects” of exercise, such as overall health benefits.
This idea works brilliantly because it’s a short-term motivator to help you get through your workout, and it helps you see or think about how much you’re gaining (willpower) rather than losing (calories). Better yet, the benefits of exercise and the effect of greater willpower will give you more energy to do things that will make you happy in the long run.
The Book of Willpower Instincts | Kelly McGonigal