The Smartest Ways To Use Your "Wantpower"

Willpower will get you only so far. To manage your weight over the long haul, you'll need to cultivate "wantpower," or the drive to eat healthy. How can you achieve a balance? "Devise a plan that takes into account your desires, not one that requires superhuman strength," advises nutritionist J.J. Virgin.

Find Your Real Inspiration "Having a true personal source of motivation--whether it's to lose 10 pounds for your high-school reunion, run your company's annual 10K, or eat healthier because of your family's history of heart disease--is the only way you'll succeed," says Virgin. She recommends writing down your objective, including why it's important to you, and placing it somewhere you'll see it every day, like on the fridge or at your desk at work. To make your resolution more manageable (read: less overwhelming), she also suggests setting smaller goals each week--for example, drinking eight glasses of water a day or having a serving of vegetables with each meal.

Toss out your trigger foods Serving yourself just one handful of chips or a small scoop of rocky road is a skill that takes a great deal of time to develop, says Virgin. So until you're able to put the container away every time, it's best to keep those tempting foods out of your line of vision. "If you have to leave the house to satisfy your craving, you'll be less likely to do it," she says.