I just came in from my morning walk (which by the way I haven’t been doing for the last eight months). Last night I decided that no matter how sleepy or tired I was, no matter what aches and pains popped up, I was getting out of bed at 6:00 a.m. and I was hitting the pavement. I did what I purposed in my heart to do…I followed through on a promise I made to myself and I feel great. Not only physically, but mentally, because I kept my word to myself and what I wanted to do for the betterment of my health. I acted on the title of this post…I disciplined my follow through. Trust me, if I can do it you can too and here’s how.
Commit 100% – Here is the hard and fast truth. Weight loss success is not going to come until you commit to yourself to make it happen…no matter what! Without commitment the things that matter the most will somehow find themselves at the bottom of the list and you’ll blow it off until tomorrow…and guess what? Tomorrow never comes. Without commitment you will stop and start and continue with the vicious up and down weight loss, weight gain cycle. You owe it to yourself to do what you say you want to do and to see it through to the end.
Strive For Progress, Not Perfection – This were many of us get tricked up. We keep waiting for conditions to be perfect to get started or we strive for perfection in our efforts and the minute perfection eludes us then we stop! Perfection is the enemy of good. Perfection is a trap that will keep us from moving forward. Don’t let your unrealistic expectations for perfection keep you from experiencing the results of being good enough.
Use Your Time and Energy Wisely – Although I’m not really a morning person (I could lay in bed until noon and be very happy), I know I’m more focused and energetic, and less stressed in the A.M. If I can get my workouts done before the world starts clamoring for my attention then that puts me ahead of the game. Not only that, my morning workouts give me energy that carries me through the day. The point is, find your rhythm. When are you most likely to get your workout completed? When are you energetic enough to get through your workout? Once you have the answer to these questions, commit to that time frame and make it happen.
See Yourself At The Finish Line – Because I’ve slacked off for such an extended period of time, I am basically starting over. But that’s okay because I know it doesn’t matter where or when I start as long as I finish the race. As I was walking this morning I started thinking about my 5K race that’s coming up next month. For me part of preparing for the race is seeing myself cross the finish line. This creates in my mind a “no excuses” way of thinking. I may not “run” the whole thing, but I will show up and I will finish the race! And so will you! You get to determine what your finish line is, so decide right now to show up everyday and finish your race.
Give Yourself Credit For Every Positive Step You Make – I am so proud of myself right now. First of all I’m happy that I kept my promise to myself to get out there this morning and walk. Not only that, but I am not kicking myself for “not doing it sooner”. Nope! I am not minimizing my efforts. Although I didn’t walk 3 miles, I did walk 2 and it all counts! Today as I make smart choices I will be giving myself smiley faces all day long. I’m reversing this thing by giving myself kudos for EVERY smart step I take
Your Turn To Share
Disciplining your follow through requires taking just one small step that you take over and over again. How will you begin to discipline your follow through today?
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