Self-discipline

I’m back! I’m here once again to talk about nutrition and getting fitter. And I will not apologize for my constant droning about cleaner eating and working out more consistently. I don’t believe you would want me any other way. After all the least I offer is someone to ridicule. But seriously, I am doing all this for your own well being. I have been besieged by stories of people who have fallen to many physical maladies, including clients and friends of clients. I’m not saying that all these maladies could have been prevented from healthier physical habits, but many could, and the ones that couldn’t would have been at least made more tolerable if one was healthy. You’re only given one body in this life, so how do you want to treat it? I hope with respect, but so often that is not the case. You disrespect yourself when you constantly over eat and over indulge in alcohol. ALL THESE UNHEALTHY HABITS EVENTUALLY CATCH UP TO YOU! I believe many do want to change their habits but lack the self –discipline to do so. Self-discipline is the ability to get yourself to take action (on any matter) regardless of your emotional state. Imagine what you could accomplish if you could simply get yourself to follow through on your best intentions no matter what. “you’re overweight, lose 20 pounds” with self-discipline it’s a done deal! Self-discipline can empower you to overcome any addiction. It can wipe out procrastination, disorder, and ignorance. My philosophy of how to build self-discipline is best explained by analogy. And what more fitting analogy than lifting weights. Just as it takes time to build muscle, it takes time to build self-discipline. When you lift weights you lift weights that are close to your limit, you push your muscles until they fail, then you rest. Similarly, the basic method to build self-discipline is to tackle challenges that you can successfully accomplish but which are near your limit. Like it is a mistake to try to push yourself too hard when lifting weights, it’s also a mistake to try to transform your entire life overnight by setting new goals. You’re almost certain to fail. The more disciplined you become, the easier life gets. While analogies like this are never perfect it does seem to fit. By raising the bar a little each week you can stay within your capabilities and grow stronger each time. Apply this discipline to overeating or over drinking. Eat one less serving, drink one less drink. Some, but very few can go cold turkey, so baby steps work. There are many more layers of this self discipline onion to peel such as avoiding triggers, cravings and how to handle relapses. They will be coming soon…R