Well actually, everyone has the control switch. It’s just that most of us are not trained to use it.

Before we explain on how you can win the battle with the chocolate, lets take a small tour in psychology.

All us humans have 2 operating systems. The first one is called the “HOT SYSTEM” and the other one the “COOL SYSTEM”.

Imagine trekking in a jungle and finding yourself face-to-face with a large tiger. Immediately, you body prepares you for this confrontation. Blood flows away from your brain and stomach and into your muscles. Your adrenaline levels shoot up. It prepares you to sprint like Usain Bolt!
This is your “HOT SYSTEM”. Sinc eyou dont need complex functioning of the brain, there is very little blood flow to the brain. Your basic body functions from its “Reptilian Brain”. This is a primitive part of our brain that is fast and impulsive and very reliable.

Our “Reptilian Brain” functions from birth. Now do you know why babies behave the way they do. They do not understand time, patience, etc.

Our “COLD SYSTEM” starts to develop at the age of 4. This is also about the time when children learn about delayed gratification. reading this blog and commeting on it is using your higher cognitive functions of your “COLD SYSTEM”.

Now imagine that you are in a meeting and another participant belittle’s one of your viewpoints. Immediately, the “HOT SYSTEM” becomes active. Blood flows away from your brain and into your muscle. You are all prepared to slug this specimen. But instead of physically abusing him, you verbally abuse him. This verbal diarrohea and temper burst is also from your “HOT SYSTEM”. Very little blood is flowing in your brain at this time and dont expect to be rational!

The same “HOT SYSTEM” comes into play when you are faced with a cheese cake or a plate of “char koay teow”. You are not rational anymore! Its your primitive survival instintcs. “Eat it!” , a voice from somwehere inside tells you. “One piece of cake won’t harm you!”, it says again very convincingly.

Its this same Reptilian Brain that immediately comes into action when you try to wake up early in the morning to do your exercise. “No don’t get up! You need the rest!” someone inside of you says. “You have to work the whole day and put food on the table! You deserve the rest”. Or “You might fall sick without adequate rest and all this exercise!”. For those who have experienced these situations, can attest that this voice is very, very real! The Reptilian brain only wants to survive and it chooses the path of least resistance to increase your chances of survival.

So what do you do?

The answer is so simple that it will blow you away!

The solution is to wrest control away from your “HOT SYSTEM” and give it to your “COLD SYSTEM”. And you do this by engaging the “COLD SYSTEM!”.

Yes you guessed it. The “HOT SYSTEM” comes into play by default at the slightest threat. And we should be glad that it does that. Imagine if there is a mulfunction and your “COLD SYSTEM” comes into play when you are faced with a giant king cobra. Imagine what will be going through your head? “Mr King Cobra, you would look very nice wrapped around my waits as my new belt?” Before you know it, you are already attacked by the cobra.

So the “HOT SYSTEM” comes into play by default and we should be thankful for that. But at times, it can work against us. For the “HOT SYSTEM” all food must be consumed. Especially calorie rich food like cheesecakes! This is for survival!

So how to wrest control away from the “HOT SYSTEM” and give it to your “COLD SYSTEM”?

Easy. Engage your mind in tasks that your “HOT SYSTEM” cannot deliver. When you lose your temper and before you react, just count until 10 or 20. Blood will start flowing into your brain again and your “COLD SYSTEM” will be activated. You will stop behaving like a pre-historic cave man who is chasing a giant wolly-mamoth. Research has shown that this is one of the most effective ways to control your temper. The same way, when faced with a rich Black Forest Chocolate Cake, count to 20 and then re-assess the situation.

Another thing you could do is to ask yourself complex questions such as “Why am I getting upset” or “Where will I be after I eat that cheese cake?”. Or “How will my program be affected by this char koay teow?”. Dont ask yourself “YES” or “NO” questions. The answers to this, you reptilian brain can give. Ask questions that need you to give answers that are NOT “YES” or “NO”.

Research has shown that will-power and discipline is not a genetic trait. It is a skill that must be learnt. And like any other skill that you want to master, mastery only comes via deliberate practise! Practise exercising your will and it only get stronger.

Do not be a servant to your toungue or a slave to your bed! I once read that the greatest battles that we will ever fight are the silent battles that we fight deep inside our souls.