Discipline (Ashley)

This post is crafted as sort of a response to Aunt Velma's situation, but also because it's something I'm struggling with, as well.

First of all--to Aunt Velma. I know you can do it! You are one of the strongest people I know, and I know that once you set your mind to it, you're going to give us all a run for our money. Even if it's small steps, one healthy habit at a time, it's better than where you've been.

I too am struggling with discipline. I've discovered that I operate best as a creature of routine. For example, my workout schedule is to exercise every day except Wednesdays, when I take a day off to rest. However, if Luke had an especially hard day with Elizabeth or is sick, then I might need to stay home and help out with her. This throws me off, and tempts me to not work out the next day. And, although so far I've not succumbed to that temptation, it's definitely stronger when I already have taken the previous day off and it's not in my routine to do so. I have some psychological problems, I guess. 0=)

So, for Aunt Velma and for the rest of us, including me, I thought for this next round of posts it would be a good topic if we could each discuss how we keep with the program and stay disciplined, especially when our motivation is lacking.

How I stay disciplined:
Exercise--I just do it. It's especially tough when I'd rather read a book or relax or am really tired, but I make myself start, knowing that as soon as I'm 10 minutes in, the endorphins will kick in and I'll WANT to continue.

Eating--The number one way I stay disciplined is not to make unhealthy foods available to me. I avoid fast food restaurants as much as possible. (I know I COULD make healthy decisions, but why test my willpower?) I bring leftovers from healthy dinners to work so I won't be tempted to eat out. If Luke and I go out, I try to go to new restaurants or try new dishes at old restaurants, because I know that if I order something that I've like in the past, before we started this contest, I'm more likely to overeat because that's what I was used to doing. And finally, I have a goal for myself to eat 9 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Sometimes I reach this goal, sometimes I don't, but when you're concentrating on this goal and filling up on healthy foods, it's easier not to give in to the unhealthy foods.

What about the rest of you? How do you stay disciplined to exercise and eat right, when you really really really don't want to?