There's a lot of crossover in my understanding of fitness (diet/nutrition, strength, cardio), and of willpower and volition in its various states. Many food/fitness issues are born of concepts very similar to addiction (and heavily pursued by food marketers and advertisers under similar grounds).
I've tried going very low carb, and found the experience quite dissatisfying. Cognitive, strength, and cardio abilities all suffered. My best bet is to stick to a small quantity of whole grains (rolled or steel-cut oats generally) in the morning, some fruit and vegetables through the day, most carbs post-workout.
As to cutting the volitional element of diet control, a number of experiences, ranging from "Supersize Me" to other readings and experiences, made me stop considering a wide range of alleged "food products" as food, and instead, seeing them as toxins. The choice is then not one of "do you want to eat this food" but "do you want to eat this poison". It makes saying "no" much easier. Practicing a "thanks, but no" doesn't hurt either.
It also helps (and HN often assists in this) to realize that a great deal of modern "culture" and media are dedicated to polluting your choice-discrimination mechanisms. Avoiding commercial media (TV, radio, malls, etc.) drastically reduces your exposure to mental toxins as well. Yes, "gamification", "viral spread", "addictive experience", and all that.
Shopping also becomes the one time you're really having to make choices. I avoid stores that carry mostly junk, have my "regular items" I stock up on, and stick to them. Treats become nuts, dried fruits, dates, and figs.
Scheduling a regular time to be at the gym (or wherever else you exercise) is another key.
Stick to all of this: avoid the bad foods, feed your brain/body enough slow-burning glucose to keep it happy, avoid distractive influences, keep your home and personal environments free of temptations, and you'll spare yourself a lot of the need of having to exhaust willpower. Though as with any muscle, I suspect that occasional exercise with periods of recovery strengthens it in the long run.
I've tried going very low carb, and found the experience quite dissatisfying. Cognitive, strength, and cardio abilities all suffered. My best bet is to stick to a small quantity of whole grains (rolled or steel-cut oats generally) in the morning, some fruit and vegetables through the day, most carbs post-workout.
As to cutting the volitional element of diet control, a number of experiences, ranging from "Supersize Me" to other readings and experiences, made me stop considering a wide range of alleged "food products" as food, and instead, seeing them as toxins. The choice is then not one of "do you want to eat this food" but "do you want to eat this poison". It makes saying "no" much easier. Practicing a "thanks, but no" doesn't hurt either.
It also helps (and HN often assists in this) to realize that a great deal of modern "culture" and media are dedicated to polluting your choice-discrimination mechanisms. Avoiding commercial media (TV, radio, malls, etc.) drastically reduces your exposure to mental toxins as well. Yes, "gamification", "viral spread", "addictive experience", and all that.
Shopping also becomes the one time you're really having to make choices. I avoid stores that carry mostly junk, have my "regular items" I stock up on, and stick to them. Treats become nuts, dried fruits, dates, and figs.
Scheduling a regular time to be at the gym (or wherever else you exercise) is another key.
Stick to all of this: avoid the bad foods, feed your brain/body enough slow-burning glucose to keep it happy, avoid distractive influences, keep your home and personal environments free of temptations, and you'll spare yourself a lot of the need of having to exhaust willpower. Though as with any muscle, I suspect that occasional exercise with periods of recovery strengthens it in the long run.