13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do_ Take Back Your Power, Embrace Change, Face Your Fears, and Train Your Brain for Happiness and Success ( PDFDrive )

CHAPTER 3
THEY DON’T SHY AWAY FROM CHANGE
It’s not that some people have willpower and some don’t . . . It’s
that some people are ready to change and others are not.
—JAMES GORDON
Richard entered my therapy office because he wasn’t making much progress in
managing his physical health. At the age of forty-four, he was seventy-five
pounds overweight and had recently been diagnosed with diabetes.
Shortly after his diagnosis, he’d met with a nutritionist and learned about the
diet changes he’d need to make to lose weight and manage his blood sugar.
Initially, he tried eliminating all the junk food he had always eaten so regularly.
He’d gone so far as to throw away all the ice cream, cookies, and sugary soft
drinks he had in his home. But within two days, he found himself buying more
sweets and resorting to his old habits.
He was also aware that he’d need to increase his activity level if he wanted to
get healthier. After all, he was no stranger to exercise. Back in high school, he’d
been a star athlete on the football field and the basketball court. But these days,
he spent the majority of his time sitting behind a computer. He worked long
hours and wasn’t sure how he’d find the time to exercise. He’d purchased a gym