Won\’t-power, we hear, is just as important as will-power. Maybe even more so. We read about will-power in articles about weight loss/dieting; smoking cessation; and more.

When I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes three months ago, I had a lot of candy on hand; most of it from the grab-bag bins in the salvage store. Much of it was bars such as Twix, Snickers, and so on.

What was I to do with all that candy? I couldn\’t bear to throw it in the trash. I didn\’t think it would be good manners to offer past-best-by-date candy to others.

To complicate matters, it was Easter-candy season. Elmer\’s doesn\’t seem to be around \”egg-cept\” at Easter; so I had to get some while I could. And here is where won\’t power comes in.

After the diagnosis, I immediately began working to eat more healthful snacks: raw carrots, dry-roasted nuts, and such. I left the sweets in the fridge (where they won\’t melt). I do my best not to think about them. The bag of candy bars is on the bottom shelf, where it\’s less visible when I open the fridge door.

After about three months my resolve seemed to weaken. Maybe I was trying to be too stringent with myself; but I had to bring myself back to heel. I have to keep reminding myself that I don\’t want full-blown Diabetes Type II. Back to carrots and hummus for snacks!

So much for diet/health/pre-diabetes and won\’t-power. Is there any won\’t-power involved in cycling? I should think so!

On a tough climb: I won\’t give up! Fighting  stiff headwind: I won\’t let this wind beat me! I\’ll bet Grand Tour riders have to have a lot of won\’t-power!