Discipline instead of Motivation, -92 pounds for 11 years
I’m often asked, “how did you find the motivation”. I’m also asked how I’ve “maintained it for 11 years”.
Reality: I wasn’t always motivated, but I worked through it. The weight loss was the goal but the journey was life changing. The way I prioritize, goal-set and believe in myself changed forever while shedding pounds. Derby High School’s 1993 unofficial “least athletic student” did what he believed was impossible…and then looked at the next impossible level, and then the next and the next while smashing through all of them. But I never stopped working.
It started with getting in shape by utilizing the “Couch to 5k” training program. Soon after running 5k, I was able to run 5 miles. Then it became 10k and then 10 miles. Within 9 months it was a half marathon. I couldn’t run to the mailbox when I started less than a year prior but I ran my first marathon within 2 years.
In order to do this, you must build a schedule. And you must stick with that schedule while overlooking every excuse you can come up with. If that isn’t enough, you must resist your body’s desire for comfort. At one point in my life, I didn’t believe I could run a 5k, let alone a marathon or ultramarathon. I would have never believed I could recover from 2018’s car accident due to the 400+ hours of recovery work I put into it. And run a 100k? Naah, I would have given you 100 excuses why I would never run 100k (62 miles). The new version of myself has done it (land believes he will complete a 100 mile run very soon.
And when I conquered those goals, I no longer believed excuses in other parts of my life. I became capable of honest, self-inventory and responded with personal goals and self accountability to improve. Career, marriage, parenting, relationship with God, everything. I’m not perfect and fail daily, but I am determined to keep moving forward. As my faith became stronger, I’ve relied on Christ to help me accomplish goals….one day at a time.
But I’m not always motivated.
In fact, I’m rarely motivated.
But the work must be done.
Motivation won’t always be there, so build discipline instead.
Work hard, trust in God.
Go get it.
