Jenny, what wonderful blogging you accomplished today! I fully intend on answering your questions but probably not tonight. Tonight I want to continue on with my thoughts about discipline, however, I don't want you to think I ignored your deep questions with insightful and personal answers!
Over the next 5 nights, I would like to discuss the 5 pillars of discipline. Remember, I stole most of this from someone else but I think it's quite relevant. In regards to self-discipline, the 5 pillars are acceptance, will power, hard work, industry and persistence or A WHIP. Tonight, I will be focusing on acceptance.
I think acceptance is a really important pillar for us in our current state. We are all still beginners, as such, we must start at the very beginning. Acceptance is simply assessing where we are at this moment in time, accepting it as true and progressing from there in a reasonable yet challenging way. Simple, right?!?!? Maybe.
Going back to the weight lifting analogy from yesterday. Imagine a young woman who wants to train her biceps. If she has very little practice with bicep curls, it is very important for her to choose the proper weight to start with. If she over estimates her ability, she will begin with weights that are too difficult to lift, she will get sore or injured, she will quit and not make improvements. Conversely, if she under estimates her strength, she will start with weights much too light for her, not be challenged, not make improvements, and give up because it's simply not working. By properly assessing her current capabilities, she will be able to find an adequate amount of weight that will not only allow her to do her exercises but will also allow her to challenge herself and improve her muscle mass. The same holds true for self-discipline. I know that I have a small amount of self-discipline when it comes to regular exercise. I've been surprised to find that I have a higher level of self-discipline than I thought when it comes to smarter eating. Now that I've accepted my levels, I can move forward.
The most important factors rising from acceptance is that is allows us to develop a realistic game plan for our journey. I know that I need to start slow and small with the regular exercise. I need to make myself exercise 3-4 times a week for 20-30 minutes. I've been doing that for a month now and it really seems to be working. This is possible but it's also a challenge. When this no longer becomes a challenge, then I must add more time, or another day. The example that the author used to convey this idea of a realistic game plan was in regard to waking time. He knew a man who woke up at 10:00 a.m. every day. His goal was to start getting out of bed at 5...ick, but it's true. He said that he had tried it but could never accomplish this goal. I think it's safe to assume he couldn't accomplish this goal because he had not accepted his current ability level and was aiming for a goal that was too far out of reach. Instead, he was instructed to start getting up 15-30 minutes earlier each day. When that became easy, move ahead again. By taking it step by step, he was able to get out of bed at 5 and he now does so seven days a week. Now, I'm not saying that we have to get up at the ass crack of dawn everyday, but you can see how we have to slowly step towards our goals. We must find the balance between realistic expectations and constant challenge.
Alright, I think that sums up acceptance. Tomorrow I shall share thoughts on will power. Have a great night ladies and stay strong! I know you can do well!!!
1 comment:
Yea I was a blogging machine yesterday. I have to say as soon as I saw you mention the 5 pillars of disciple I immediately thought of the pillars of character that were/are in the schools in Iowa. It made me have a flashback to teaching PE.
The acceptance pillar rings true because I've realized and accepted that I'm in a rut that I usually fall in after 2-3 months of Weight Watchers or any lifestyle improvement plan. I get bored with things or let other parts of my life override my progress (e.c. stress or work).
Those analogies also relate well to goal setting because people try to change so much in their lives when it comes to making healthy changes. They try to throw in a lot of exercise, they pull a 180 with their diet, and oodles of other things but they often fail because they try to do too much at once. Heck it's applicable when related to deprivation too because so many think you cannot have any treats, goodies, etc but you can definitely eat anything with moderation. Moral of my rambling is that moderation and taking things in stride is essential. People often complain that changing your lifestyle takes so much time but taking baby steps and changing slowly helps to ensure that your changes become more permanent. End of ramble.
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