JUST DO IT

HOW TO DISCIPLINE YOUR DISCIPLINE

Discipline is not something you are born with. It is a mental muscle that needs constant training. Like any other muscle, if you don’t use it, it will weaken. It takes more than just wanting to be disciplined. It is an ability that must be developed and tended to. If it appears easy for some, it is because those people have cultivated it for a very long time.

It isn’t something you can grab out of the top drawer when you need it. You have to have it ready when you need it. Begin slowly by creating a reward and consequence game for your behaviors.Remember no muscle gets into shape immediately. You have to methodically build it and maintain it. All your choices affect this muscle.

(taken from my book: "Head Over Meals-Thinking Your Way To Being Thin Happy & Healthy")

LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD

You are a complex human beings who experience life on several levels- physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. These are the four planes/levels that real fitness/health take place. All change work occurs on all levels. And the results and benefits occur on all four levels

Emotionally,you can experience a new heightened self image, achieving fitness goals leads to self confidence, improved body image and discipline.

Mentally, being fit and healthy effect over all immune system, meaning a better work and school performance, and fewer missed days at work and school. Also the there is an increase in oxygen which flows throughout the body especially the brain.

Spiritually, you can ask a professional athlete if training is a spiritual experience and they will always answer "yes." Now many people roll their eyes when you start talking about a professional athletics. As if they cannot relate to them. But we can learn a lot from a professional. About their thoughts, their attitude etc. And the respect they have for their temples. Ask any great spiritual teacher and they will tell you the importance of bringing the spiritual connection to the physical.

And of course physically,there are so many changes that occur. Here are just a few;reduces the risk of injury, strengths the heart, lowers blood pressure, assists in anti-aging, digestion, skin, hair etc. Everything depends on circulation and the only way to get things circulating is by moving.

Make your changes count on all levels.

IT'S QUALITY THAT COUNTS

A few years ago I injured my knee. I attempted to continue my work out but I quickly learned that the human body will only allow you to go so far until it sends you a clear message to continue would be damaging.

Because of this I went to all my classes but could not participate in the running, and did NOT increase the intensity of many of my exercises. As a result I had put on a couple of pounds because I had not altered my eating. I am very in tune with my body so I could feel a significant difference in the way it felt. 

I continued to work out while healing my knee both physically and mentally. I increased the intensity of every exercise both mentally and physically. I was very aware of my food choices. And as a result maintain a very healthy physical body.

From this incident I learned a few things. First, it was good subconsciously to keep going to the gym. It continued my habitual ritual. Second, when you are really hurting best to not push it as you will heal faster by caring for the injury. And last,it isn't just doing an exercise that counts but what you put behind it. 

Like anything in life, the amount of effort you put into something is a clear indication of the amount of results you will achieve. Just "going through the motions" will not warrant the same results as lets say someone who really gives it their all. Either way, the same amount of time passes--so you might as well get the most out of your minutes.

PICK EXERCISE NOT THE REMOTE

You have heard time and again that regular physical activity is important, but how many times have you picked the couch and a bag of chips instead? And what has the couch done for you?

Today you have the ability to live a better quality of life. Not just because of the new gadgets you buy but how you enjoy those things. What is the point of earning a lot of money if you do not have the health to enjoy it? What is the point of taking great vacations if you can’t even walk two miles without needing a break? Imagine the quality of your life ten or twenty years from now.

Getting older doesn’t have to mean breaking down physically. Why not aim to be in the top 3% of the population?

CRASH IS TRASH

Want to be unhealthy fast? Try a crash diet. Cutting down on calories too fast and too low can actually increase your chances of hurting yourself. There is nothing "wrong" with a calorie restricted diet however not all calories are create equal. Be certain you are getting the nutrients your cells need.
Eating very little and getting very few nutrients can actually increase your metabolism and decrease the strength of your bones. When you are on a weight loss plan be certain to incorporate weight training as it will increase your metabolism and strengthen your bones. Remember that no matter what method you use to lose weight, if you do not alter your attitude,beliefs and habits--it will only be temporary. 5% of people who lose weight by any given method will keep it off for the rest of their lives. The rest will continue the cycle. For real change both your physical and mental self should exercise and eat healthy.