Hi, my name is Stacey and I struggle with discipline. I would venture to say I’m not the only one who is challenged in this area. Remaining consistent in my discipline feels something like riding a scooter. Once I get on it and start kicking my leg to build up speed it’s pretty easy to coax along, but the minute I slow down (or life gets in the way), then I have to start kicking again in order to regain momentum. My question is, why can’t one kick keep me going for the long haul?
What I’ve come to learn is that it is necessary for me to constantly remind myself of the results I’m working towards. My goal is not to be “discipline” but rather to experience the quality of life that being disciplined will afford me.
It’s also important for me to revisit my “whys”. Why is this goal important to me? What is my motivation for wanting to lose weight? For me, some of my “whys” are to get healthy, to have more energy, to look good in my clothes, to not have to listen to my doctor tell me yet again that I need to lose weight.
Having a plan in place for when obstacles appear in the road is key to remaining disciplined. Things are going to happen and more than likely they’re going to happen the moment you decide to get started working on your goal. When obstacles appear (and they will), anticipate them and build strategies to overcome them.
A change in focus is key to success. Rather than focusing on the things I don’t want to do, making the paradigm shift to focusing on the things I’d like to do or experience has helped me to be successful in my efforts.
The end of a matter is better than it’s beginning and patience is better than pride – Eccl. 7:10
We are going to fall off the wagon. Being consistent in restarting will keep you on track. Recommit yourself as often as you need to. Remember this, the failure is not in falling off the wagon, the failure is in not getting back in the game.
Your Turn To Share
What are some key things you have found to be helpful to remaining disciplined in working towards your goal?
Ana says
I find I am OK as long as I have a plan to follow. If I don’t have a plan but a vague idea about doing something then the first setback is the end of it – at least until I decide to have another go.
Ana recently posted…Happy Marriage Quote – Close, But Not Too Close
Carolyn Terry says
The things that have helped me remain disciplined are staying connected to fitness professionals. My Zumba teacher, classes at my gym, running group (BGR) and friends who I know are conscious about a healthy lifestyle. I join any group that talks about fitness.