Self-discipline means self-control. It means you are in control of yourself – your actions and reactions. It is the power that helps you to follow through and stick to your decisions and consistently work towards your goals without changing your mind. And, it is a learned behaviour. Nearly all successful people contribute their success to self-discipline.
"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments!"
Add to self-discipline, the power of consistency and watch as this dynamic duo slowly, but surely moves you closer to your health, fitness and longevity goals.
Lacking in self-discipline? Looking to develop/boost more health and fitness self-discipline?
Ironically, the very thing you are trying to achieve is the thing that promotes and develops self-discipline – your workout routine!
Strong muscles and less stress are just two of the many benefits that working out provides us. Self-discipline is the big one.
If you are looking to boost your self-discipline, look no further than your fitness routine … one area of your life you have 100 per cent control over. Treat your workout routines as unbreakable appointments that must be kept and they will reward you. They are one of the best – if not the best – discipline training methods freely available to everyone!
What actions you take with your body and what you put into your body are totally under your control and your fitness level is the perfect gauge to measure how you are living the rest of your life.
Like any successful business, to be properly informed and make wise decisions, you must take notes and track any changes that occur to your body, mental state and energy levels as you work towards your health and fitness goals. That means keeping a log or journal.
It's easy to make positive, rational decisions when you have valuable information readily available. You'll avoid making dangerous choices based on impulses, emotions or popular trends.
All this takes patience, a healthy dose of self-control/self-discipline and a huge dose of self-love!
The choices you make daily are either moving you closer to your health and fitness goals or away from them. Permanent health and fitness are not gained through "get rich quick" schemes, nor can they be gained through instant gratification. They are a direct result of exercising healthy choices and the reality is, if you are not performing actions that improve your fitness, then you are automatically starting to deteriorate it.
The equation is simple and straight-forward. Those who consistently employ self-discipline, make working out and eating healthy high priorities. They experience the best health, fitness and longevity results.
Whether your goals are related to fitness, diet, work, or relationships, self-discipline is the one trait needed to reach them, maintain a healthy diet/lifestyle, live a long, active life and ultimately be happy!
Remember, you will experience ups and downs along the way to your goals, and you may even fall off the saddle a few times. When that happens – forgive yourself and move on. Guilt does no one any good and only breeds negativity. The longer you are removed from reaching for your goals, the harder it is to get going in a positive direction again. This is where your self-discipline reserves come in. Having a healthy reserve of self-discipline to call on in these situations is key to getting back on track quickly.
If you don't already, begin treating your body like a business and give it the attention and the discipline it deserves. Your reward will be stellar health, increased fitness levels and quality longevity!
■ Carolyn Hansen is co-owner of Anytime Fitness.
