Willpower can be depleted, just like any other energy source our body uses. According to the interview I heard on NPR with the author of the book, "Willpower", the more willpower you exert in one area, the less you have available to resist another temptation. Willpower is cumulative -- use it all in one place and you've got zip left for something else. (Read the book review here.)
The reason you're less able to resist that morning's left-over, now completely-stale, not-even-a-flavor-you-like-very-much, donut in the break room if because your brain is simply out of willpower. Worse yet for dieters the way to restore your willpower is to give your brain some glucose. So you need food to help you from eating food. This is another evil universe/biology trick if ever I've heard one.
Now I know why I'm desperate to reach for the sweets after a long day working and parenting. Every time I don't turn into a screaming banshee when my kids drag their feet eats up another piece of my self control. By the time everybody is settled and sleeping is it any wonder I'm reaching for the chocolate and my friends are reaching for their wine bottles? With the way our mornings go it's a miracle I don't break out the Laffy Taffy by 9 a.m.
The good news is that willpower functions like a muscle. You can learn to get stronger. Or, you can say "what the heck, they're only (fill in the blank here...) old. This can only last another 25 years or so, right" as you reach for your secret stash of whatever and indulge, indulge, indulge. Gotta sign off now, I'm positive I hear some frosting calling my name.
P.S. - The second most interesting thing I learned today was how to put links in this blog.
P.S.S. - The third most interesting thing I learned today was that willpower is one word.
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