Motivation, Willpower, Time and Commitment: Do you need some?

Do any of these phrases sound familiar?

“I’m just not motivated.”
“I don’t have the willpower.”
“I’m too busy.”
“I don’t know where to start.”

Are they running through your mind when you consider trying to integrate more activity and healthier food into your life?

I’m sure you all know people that are “walking the healthy path” and make it seem effortless. Do you wonder what makes them more successful than others?

Do they have more motivation? Willpower? Time? Are they simply more committed to their personal health and wellness?

I think maybe success in achieving your health and wellness goals may require a shift in how you think about the concepts of motivation, willpower, time and commitment.

Motivation is: the desire to do; interest or drive
*Are you motivated to run in the winter cold or summer heat? Probably not! Especially not this winter.
But...
*Are you motivated to feel better, have more energy and age disease free? Hopefully yes.

Willpower is: the control of one’s impulses and actions; self-control
Think you don’t have any based on your past struggles to start and maintain a new habit? Research suggests willpower is a learned skill not something you do or do not have. Learn more about this philosophy by reading this article.

Do you have a lack of time?
*Do you watch football, baseball or basketball (average game 2-3 hours in duration)?
*Do you surf the internet (average of 9-11 hours spent per day on digital media)?
*Do you frequently check out Facebook (average of 40 minutes spent per day)?
Instead of thinking of workouts and meal preparation as a long process, make small changes in your daily routine that add up: get up from your desk and walk more, take the stairs, break physical activity into 3 separate 10 minute events rather than one 30 minute block of time, make double batches of meals, soups and stews and freeze half for a future meal, chop lots of veggies and package into single portions.

Commitment is: the act of dedicating, pledging and engaging oneself
*What are you committed to on a daily basis? Going to work, paying your bills, caring for your children?
What about caring for you? Will you be able to do the other things you are committed to in the long term if you don’t prioritize committing to yourself and your own health and wellness?

Perhaps commitment is the most important of these concepts. My friend and colleague, Laurie Warren of Warren Wellness, advocates that the key to lasting changes toward a healthier lifestyle is all about “Habits and commitment, with a healthy dose of self-compassion.” (Read more here)

Where do you start? If you’d like to include more physical activity and healthy eating into your daily routine, I suggest you get started with a small, realistic change that can become a new habit over time. Be specific and clear about your plan. Rather than “I’m going to exercise every day!” Try “I’m going to be active for 30 minutes per day 3 days per week.” Or instead of “I’m going to eat healthier!” Try “I’m going to include vegetables with every meal.”

Lastly, write it down, share it, schedule it, and just do it!