What really works?? Is it discipline? Is it motivation?

The answer is BOTH!

Motivation Is What Gets You Off the Couch

While motivation is what usually gets us up off the couch in the first place, it ebbs and flows like a perimenopausal woman (I’m in this group, so don’t think I’m picking on someone else!).

For example…I went for a run this morning and I was really excited. Until it was 44 and the wind was in my face and my eyeballs got cold. I really wanted to turn around and quit. But I joined this stupid step bet and am darned if I’ll lose! This is when I needed my discipline!!

When Motivation Wears Off, Discipline Takes Over

Discipline is what kicks in when the excitement has faded and the new and shiny has worn off.

For example…to our new monthly coaching gals– you are likely still riding the high of your first few weeks in macros. It’s fun to track and figure out what you can eat and plug in to meet your goals, you may be seeing that scale dropping, and you’re feeling all of those exciting and new to macros feelings.

The Week 4 Slump: Where Progress Is Actually Made

….but week 4 is coming. Trust me on this. This week is notorious for check-ins to coaches filled with discouragement. The shiny and new is gone. The scale has slowed and feels stuck. You’re tired of tracking all the things and standing in your pantry at 9 pm logging food for the next day. You don’t wanna get up and make your protein oats. 

Motivation Is Your WHY. Discipline Is Your HOW.

THIS is where discipline comes out to play!!! This is where you build grit and really start to make progress towards those goals. If motivation is your WHY, then discipline is your HOW. When you couple both together, you are guaranteed to make slow and steady progress. If you get too amped up on motivation, you make quick progress that flames out. Add in a layer of discipline and it balances out that motivation, helps you make measured steps. 

Why Slow and Steady Wins Every Time

If you’ve ever run any sort of race, you know how important it is to not get off to too fast of a start, because before you hit the first mile mark, you’ll have a stitch in your side, shin splints, and be gasping for air. Take that first mile or two slow and steady while your body warms up and really gets going, and then you’ll be cruising in to the rest of the miles feeling strong and confident. The same is true for your commitment to nutrition. I have said it before and I’ll say it again- give me one consistent client who nails their numbers 6/7 days of the week for weeks on end, versus one who hits a perfect 7/7 for two weeks ANY DAY, because the 6/7 client is going to reach their goals while the 7/7 client has burned out and spiraled back into discouragement because it was unsustainable. Consistency and commitment always win, even when motivation comes and goes. 

Motivation absolutely has its place– think of it as the spark!

Consistency Beats Perfection (Every Single Time)

But discipline is the commitment to act regardless of how you feel. It’s consistency built through habits and structure — doing the thing even when you don’t want to.

The Real Role of Discipline

Discipline doesn’t rely on feelings. Once it’s built, it carries you through low-energy days because action becomes automatic.

So while motivation is amazing and often sets us off on our journey, unless we couple it with discipline, it’s going to be a quick trip around the block, instead of a journey to a new city. 

Stick with it- you wanna see the new city!!!