You are standing by the ocean of your dreams, surrounded by doubts crashing like waves. The journey ahead looks scary, like a wild adventure. But deep down, you know it's worth every step, every hard choice. That's what self-discipline is all about.
That was me in January 2022. I wasn’t happy or enjoying my life, getting the same results over and over over again. You see, for most of my life, I struggled with weight fluctuation and, with that, feelings of shame, discouragement and sometimes defeat.
I was an emotional eater. Food was my best friend in happy times, sad times, and when I was stressed out. The scale became a mean judge, always telling me I wasn't good enough. At least, that is what I believed at the time.
But then, a little light of hope appeared. I knew I deserved a better life. One filled with health and purpose. I had been on a journey of self-discovery for decades but things didn’t change like the courses and books said they would. However, I persevered. Hoping the next book or course would make a difference.
So, I made the courageous decision to invest in my well-being, embarking on another journey of self-discovery to reach my best weight and stay there. So, I purchased a program that included a doctor specializing in weight management and a registered dietician. I also hired a fitness trainer. I was all set to conquer my weight. I was determined and excited, as we all are at the beginning of something new.
My first step was setting clear goals. At the beginning of the program, I regularly met with the doctor and registered dietician. We talked about my values and the times of the day I found the most difficult. Mine was the dreaded 3:00 pm slump, then aimlessly eating snacks while watching TV.
I broke my goal into manageable steps to help pave the way for my success. One pound at a time, I made progress. I saw results and loved the healthier version of me. I ate differently. I dressed differently. I felt marvellous. I wasn’t aware during this time that I used mostly willpower alone. It got exhausting.
Later in my journey, I discovered the difference between willpower and self-discipline. Willpower is about resisting temptation in the moment. It's saying "no" to something tempting like me resisting chips while watching TV.
There are times in our life when we do things unconsciously. I have heard it called being an unconscious competent. This means you do the right thing. You just don’t know what it is you are doing. Consequently, there were aspects of self-discipline I was using during this time, but they were just not enough.
Self-discipline is about creating routines and habits to help you stay on track with your goals, even when you don't feel like it. I did the first part, creating routines and habits. I missed the second part, “even when you don’t feel like it.” I wanted instant gratification with no sacrifices. I want my weight off now!
While self-discipline helps you stay focused on your long-term goals, willpower gives you the strength to make good choices in the moment. However, it's important to note that willpower can weaken throughout the day, known as "willpower or decision fatigue."
As the day progresses and you make more decisions, your ability to resist temptation can decrease. That's why it's essential to prioritize your tasks and make the most challenging decisions when your willpower is at its strongest, usually earlier in the day when rested.
By understanding the difference between self-discipline, willpower and the effects of willpower fatigue, you can better manage your efforts to reach your goals.
Challenges emerged as the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months. Summer arrived, bringing with it the allure of indulgence, the temptation to stray from the path I was on. My willpower was weakening. The self-defeating thoughts in my mind were getting stronger as I...

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