From Struggle to Strength: How Discipline Transformed My Approach to Health and Wellness

Embarking on a health journey can feel overwhelming. It’s easy to get lost in the sea of advice, statistics, and so-called quick fixes. Many people talk about the benefits of exercise and healthy eating, but what about those of us who have faced obstacles along the way? This is my story of struggle and how discipline became my guiding star. I want to emphasize the connections between the choices I made and the health challenges I overcame, illustrating how discipline truly transformed my life. I hated where I was, and who I was and something had to change.

Yes, it's easy for me to say because I love to exercise but I didn't always. I used to hate it. I would give myself anxiety at the thought of having to go and work out. It was a chore, an inconvienience and something I couldn't wait to get just get done for the day. But now, things couldn't be more different. After I had decided I was going to stick with it, and my discipline began to develop, I started to see and feel the benefits.

And now, once I step into the gym, time seems to fade away.

Where once I was utterly desperate to get in and get out, I now have an excited buzz. The anxiety and the dread I once felt at 'having to go work out' has been replaced with joy, excitment and a sense of priviledge. While running, I often find myself lost in the rhythm for miles. Yet, even now, old thoughts like "Skip today" occasionally haunt me. So trust me when I say, "I know exactly how you feel." My therapist describes these as remnants of trauma; shifting gears can be tough, and at times, I question my journey. This is when the power of discipline rises to the occasion. Motivation can inspire but discipline drives consistent action.

The Misconception of Dieting

When discussing healthy eating, the term "diet" tends to evoke feelings of restraint. It implies losing something rather than gaining health and taking back your life. We should be changing our perspective. Why is embracing healthy eating seen as a restriction while poor eating habits often go unnoticed?

In reality, choosing processed foods filled with chemicals means losing essential nutrients. Studies show that diets high in processed foods can lead to a 50% increase in the risk of developing chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. When we fuel ourselves with low-quality nutrients, the consequences are undeniable. Sluggishness, headaches, and skin issues often follow a poor diet, let alone the detrimental effect a poor diet has on our mental health, confidence, appearance and life-span.

Think about it; would you put Tesco Value vegetable oil in a high-performance sports car? Absolutely not! You'd expect it to break down, right? You wouldn't make it down the road before you had to take it to the garage and were presented with a big bill. The same principle applies to our bodies. The only difference is our bodies are a lot more forgiving than a high-powered sports car. Our bodies adapt, but they also keep receipts and over time we find ourselves getting sicker and sicker. Just like having to take a car to a garage because we put the wrong fuel in it, more and more of us are finding ourselves needing medical attention because we are mis-fuelling ourselves. Poor health is the consequence of neglecting our bodies. Simple.

The Power of Discipline

Moving on from Tesco Value...

Discipline is the cornerstone of effective health strategies. It’s what keeps us grounded when motivation dips. There are certainly days when I feel the desire to skip the gym or indulge in unhealthy food. On such days, I remind myself of my goals and the journey I’ve undertaken.

Creating habits that match your aspirations is essential. I’ve found that practicing discipline, even in small ways, reinforces positive behavior. Research indicates that it takes about 21 days to form a habit. I approach it like building a muscle—the more you use it, the more it grows stronger. Start acting and thinking the way your perfect self would act and think, and tell me how you feel after a few days. Our minds are amazing things. They can be our best friend, or our most dangerous foe - which do you nurture?

The Role of Nutrition

Nutrition is a key player in my health story. I discovered that the foods I consume directly impact how I feel. For instance, eating whole, single ingredient foods and complex carbohydrates gives me energy and focus. In contrast, when I consume processed or fast food, my mood and energy levels plummet—significantly. But the biggest drop and most noticeable difference is in my mental health. If I eat unhealthily, even for one day, I feel anxious, depressed and self-conscious. When my energy levels drops, so does my confidence. It's almost like a hangover, it'll take me a good couple of days to right the ship. During these couple of days I remind myself of how easy it is to slip, stay stuck and enter back into the viscious cycle. It's only because I have seen what's on the other side that I know a bad day won't undo 18 months of hardwork and discipline. I know I can turn things around, get back on track and keep progressing. But for people who haven't yet seen what they are capable of, people who don't believe in themselves, I can see exactly how they give up. It's brutal. I know that because I was once one of those people.

Finding Joy in Movement

Exercise is vital in my wellness journey, yet it wasn’t until I adjusted my mindset that I truly experienced joy in moving my body. I stopped viewing workouts as chores and began celebrating what my body can do. I began to look forward to the gym and took great pleasure in planning my workouts. Exercise is now a pleasure, and not a punishment for something I ate.

From lifting weights to running, from walking the dogs to strenuous hikes, I’ve started to appreciate the activity itself. Shifting my focus from the outcome to the experience has transformed how I look at exercise. Instead of dread, I now feel achievement and fulfillment. You too can learn to feel this way. You just need someone to show you how.

The Importance of Self-Care

Self-care is vital in the pursuit of health. Health isn't and cant be just about being 'slim' or looking good naked. I’ve learned that taking time for myself isn’t selfish; it is essential. Whether soaking in the bath or enjoying a quiet evening with a book, self-care helps me recharge and feel balanced.

Listening to my body is equally important. On days when I need to rest, I allow myself that break. Ignoring signs of fatigue leads to burnout, while honoring those signs maximizes my energy and commitment to health goals. You learn to recognise when you're just gonna have to go work out tired, and when to genuinely need to rest and take the day off.

Celebrating Progress, Not Perfection

A crucial lesson in my journey has been to celebrate progress rather than perfection. The chase for an ideal body or a flawless diet can be stressful and unfulfilling. I've learned to appreciate every little victory, whether lifting a heavier weight or enjoying a healthy meal. Each of these steps forward is significant. I am really hard on myself, although I am working on this. I'll look at myself now, shake my head and say, often outloud - 'Not good enough'. It's at this point that I force myself to stop, look back and recognise just how far I have come. Sure, I think i'm the sort of woman who will always be pushing myself, but it's important to remember that I now have the health, the body and the self-understanding that I spent decades once wishing for.

This mindset shift has shifted my perspective. Rather than focusing solely on the finish line, I’ve come to enjoy the journey, making it more sustainable and satisfying, and what I have learned along the way is utterly priceless.

Embracing Your Unique Journey

My journey from struggle to strength has been life-changing. By prioritizing discipline, nutrition, movement, and self-care, I've navigated challenges and cultivated a healthier lifestyle.

Keep in mind that everyone's path to health is personal. What works for one may not work for another. The important thing is to discover what resonates with you and stick with it. Finding a professional to help you identify your strengths and your weaknesses is key. Often times a professional will identify and highlight crucial strengths and weaknesses that you didn't even know you had. You may not be able to figure out why 'nothing has worked' but a health and fitness professional will.

Discipline is the consistent force that will take you further than motivation alone. Invest in yourself, prioritise your health, and witness how your life can transform. You truly are worth every effort! Don't know how? Don't know where to start? Feeling overwhelmed and alone? Reach out, you're not alone.

Check-out my podcast for more!

https://open.spotify.com/show/3WALPBB9EHwVbkczZLbr2d?si=hpUYZIKXRoiHeuXPqYY_nw