Discipline Over Motivation
The excitement you feel when you decide to take control of your health. You have found a new way and you are excited to get started. You are looking forward to seeing the results. You are looking forward to making this lifestyle change. Motivation is awesome. What seems impossible now seems possible. When you are motivated, nothing can stop you.
However, motivation is fleeting. Motivation only lasts so long. Motivation is fickle and its susceptible to influence from external factors. So what do you do when your motivation runs out? This is when you depend on your discipline. Discipline over motivation. This is your mantra. You need to repeat this to yourself every day. Even when you don’t want to, you’re going to because you have the discipline. The discipline to do what needs to be done. You may feel like you have a 100 pound weight holding you back, but that discipline is going to carry you when you don’t have the motivation.
So how do you get discipline? You get discipline through routine and building daily healthy habits. Discipline is a choice. Discipline is what you do regardless of the surrounding circumstances.
As with anything in life being prepared is always going to set you up for success. Here are some simple steps to start building healthy habits and routine:
Go grocery shopping every week. If you have good food in the refrigerator you will eat good food. Be sure to make a list of what you need to purchase to ensure you don’t forget anything.
Purchase frozen veggies and canned tuna or salmon. This way if you don’t have time to go to the store you will always have healthy food options available.
Pre-cut up vegetables and have them ready. You can even measure them out and have them in storage containers so you can grab and go.
Have healthy snacks available. Put them in your glove box, your purse, or your desk drawer. Having healthy snacks available will help you from making poor food choices. They also come in handy if you are busy and have skipped a meal. If you allow yourself to get hangry, this is when you will make poor choices because you are just going to grab what ever is available.
Having a weekly menu plan will help you with your grocery shopping. This way you will have everything that you need. This will also help prevent food waste.
When going out to eat, going to parties, or traveling be aware of what food options will be available. If you know you are going into an environment where there will only be unhealthy food options, bring your own food. If it’s a party, bring a healthy dish for everyone to share. If you can’t bring your own food then just make the best choices possible. But don’t allow this to be an excuse to go completely off the rails. As I always say, just because you have one flat tire don’t pop the other three.
