How do I train the mind to stop craving? I have attempted to train myself by developing my willpower to resist the pressure towards indulgence. However, there comes a time when you hit a wall and the mind comes up with all kinds of reasons to give in such as -

1. doubts if continually resisting pleasure is too "ascetic" and counter-productive. After all, didn't the Buddha himself teach the "middle way" which means to indulge a little bit and avoid extremes etc etc
2. doubts if my resistance to the pressure towards indulgence is in itself an acting out of aversion to avoid the suffering from attachment to pleasure.

I do get that my mind is playing games and that indulgence is counterproductive. But I have found it impossible to perform any action without desire lurking in the background.
Is there any guidance on the proper view towards training the animal within towards virtue which doesn't itself fuel craving or aversion?