The basic mechanics of weight loss are simple—calories in need to be less than calories out. You have to eat less than you expend. Yes, the foods you eat, metabolic output, hormone status, stress, digestion, and genetics all play a role as well. However, you will never know if those are even an issue if you don’t first put in an actual effort. Chances are if you stick to the basics, you’re going to see improvement.
The problem with successful health change lies not in how but, rather, in the execution. If you show up every day and put in the work, you’re going to get results. Unfortunately, the discipline, commitment, and consistency needed to make these simple changes are often lacking.
You may be thinking it would be nice to make a change and become a healthier version of yourself (good for you). Still, if you’re not willing to put in the work, there is absolutely nothing anyone else can do to help you—no matter how much money you spend or how many different plans you try.
What can you do to make the commitment to yourself and muster up the discipline necessary to accomplish your goals? I’m glad you asked.
Level-Up Your Accountability
Take a hard look in the mirror and decide if that person looking back at you is doing everything in his/her power to show up every single day. Are you taking care of business consistently? Are you holding yourself accountable to do what you know you need to do? Or, are you sleeping in, half-assin’ your workouts, and eating crap that doesn’t even qualify as food?
You are a grown-up:
- You have to choose to make the next right decision.
- You have to decide to fuel your body with whole, nutritious foods.
- You have to decide to move your body instead of sitting on your ass.
- You have to decide to make the changes now that will give you a long, healthy, and independent life.
It’s 100% up to you, not your coach, not your spouse, not your doctor. You. People can give you the tools you need to succeed, but it’s up to you to implement them.
Are you doing all you can to become the best version of yourself?
Time Is a Resource, Not an Excuse
“I don’t have time.” How many times have you said it? Be honest with yourself. For what do you not have time? Do you not have time for social media? Doubtful. Do you not have time for TV? Again, doubtful. Yet, when it comes to having time to eat well and stay active, all of a sudden, there’s a lapse in the time continuum, and there’s not an extra second to be found.
It’s never about having time. It’s about making time and making your health and your life a priority. I guarantee you’re going to find time to eat something (otherwise, you’d be starving, and we wouldn’t be having this conversation). Why not make it nutritious?
As far as movement is concerned, nowhere is it written that you have to perform every task known to the man seated. Get up and move. It’s incredible how much you can accomplish by standing and walking—that alone will make a huge difference in most people’s lives. Workouts don’t have to be lengthy to be effective. You just have to make the time. You have to make it a priority.
What I’m getting at here is everyone is busy. Everyone has the same 24 hours in the day. It is up to every one of us to determine how we are going to spend that time. If you’re committed to living a healthy lifestyle, those things that feed that lifestyle will be at the top of your list. You will find the time to do what needs to be done. Period.
Check Your Discipline
Lastly, I’d like to discuss discipline, specifically self-discipline. The discipline you hold over yourself to do the right thing even when it sucks.
Successful change doesn’t take magic; it takes discipline.
- The discipline necessary to get to bed at a decent time so your body can get the rest and recovery it needs to live another epic day.
- The discipline necessary to get your ass out of the chair, throw some weights around, or go for a walk, even when you don’t feel like it.
- The discipline to choose the lean protein and veggies over the greasy, cheesy pizza because you know that choice will leave you feeling good.
- The discipline to say no to something that doesn’t help move you toward your goals, and the discipline to do the things that will.
If you don’t have the discipline, you’re going to have a rough time making those difficult choices.
Ultimately, it comes down to you and the choices you make every day. You can choose to remain where you are, or you can choose to change. The power lies within you, your honesty with yourself, your priorities, and your discipline.
In the words of the wise little green man, “Do or do not, there is no try.”
It’s time to take responsibility for yourself and make it happen. You choose.