The Willpower Instinct - Book Review

A new year, and a new BlogHer Book. Weeee! This month's BlogHer Book Club book is The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It by Kelly McGonigal Ph.D.. I was super excited about this book especially with the new year coming up and trying to keep my resolutions for 2013. In the past if I've ever set and started a resolution I always tend to lose motivation, willpower and all self-control sometime around February and then it's completely out the window by March ha!

Dr. Kelly McGonigal starts her book with a "Welcome to Willpower 101" section where she breaks down the definition of willpower, learning to understand why it is we fail, setting a willpower challenge and learning to take your time when you make a change or achieve a goal.

The remainder of the book is broken down in to ten chapters designed to be read over the course of 10 weeks. Although, I read it in one sitting, Ill probably read through it again at the pace Dr. Kelly recommends: one chapter a week to let things soak in really good. I wrote side notes in the margins of things that stood out to me or something I want to remember later. 

Here's a few I thought you might be able to use:

**You know you've met a real willpower challenge because you feel it in your body.
**The good news is that you can learn to shift your physiology into a self-control state when you need your willpower the most.
**Willpower is the ability to do what really matters, even when it's difficult.
**Exercise is a willpower miracle. Fifteen minutes on a treadmill reduces cravings ;) and is as powerful as an antidepressant.
**Self-control doesn't come cheap. It requires effort to fight or flee in an emergency, like eyeing that super delicious turtle chocolate cheesecake in the window shop ;P

If you're needing an extra push to keep those 2013 resolutions, then this book is for you!

This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed herein are my own.