Motivation vs discipline

evzmla

So, what is more important? And what comes first when starting to exercise again?

Pamela_Sue

I am no expert, but I find motivation to be external and sometimes fleeting. Discipline is what I am focusing on now. There are days I have zero motivation, and must rely on discipline to eat healthy and exercise. Discipline is a learning process for me, requiring repetitive forming of habits.

MikePTY

I think motivation is more important at the start. It's nice to have something to give you that spark to get this train going. But at some point, it will need to give way to discipline, because you won't feel motivated forever. And you still need to be able to do it even once the motivation is gone, and that's where discipline comes in. You usually don't start with discipline. But rather you build it over time through repitition and the development of routines.

pierinifitness

I have four words I chanted in my fitness, health and wellness journey - DESIRE, DISCIPLINE, PATIENCE and PERSEVERANCE.

Everyone starts with desire which is similar to your motivation. Along the journey, there are dropouts because people aren’t able to muster what’s required at the next level.

So, to answer your question, discipline is more important (long term) than motivation but you need motivation to get the ball rolling.

k8eekins

evzmla wrote: »

So, what is more important? And what comes first when starting to exercise again?

From maintenance and at rest mode to an arduous workout phase, discipline, commitment and consistency over motivation are effective enough for me to get results. With how I'm wired, motivation, compliments and reassurance carry no weight. I like to go at it hard and mercilessly with zero excuses.

kimny72

You start out with motivation. While you still have that, start to build the good habits which will carry you through the rest of your life at a healthy weight. Use discipline to stick to building those habits once motivation wears out. I think with a little luck and good planning, those good habits will become a lifestyle that doesn't require much discipline or motivation.

GemimaFitzTed

For me, they are two separate paradigms, but interrelated. Both are the important components of intention. Motivation is the why/desire of my intention. Discipline is how I will achieve my intention.

Intention: I want to lose weight
Motivation: To be healthier, fitter, look *kitten* awesome
Discipline: I need to be consistent in my logging, accountable through a PT, be more physically active etc

Without the motivation, the discipline is meaningless. Without the discipline, motivation will not be realised. Without both, you won't fulfil your intention.

missh1967

Motivation can be somewhat important, but it is fickle and fleeting. Use motivation, but develop discipline and habits. When motivation wanes, sheer discipline can take over. Desire is also important. As with smoking or drinking too much, people won't quit until/unless they want to.

LivingtheLeanDream

missh1967 wrote: »

Motivation can be somewhat important, but it is fickle and fleeting. Use motivation, but develop discipline and habits. When motivation wanes, sheer discipline can take over. Desire is also important. As with smoking or drinking too much, people won't quit until/unless they want to.

100% this ^^

_faedreamer

Motivation is weak, discipline is better, but when both fail, habit is what works. I'm bipolar and have extreme anxiety, so motivation is slim to none on even my best days. Discipline can often be lacking as well, but the habit of doing the same thing every day, day in and day out, has been what works for me. It might sound boring to some, but routine is so healthy for me, mentally, and helps me stay with my physical health goals. I eat mostly the same thing, work out at the same times, etc etc. Discipline helped me develop the habit, but when discipline fails me, habit keeps me going until discipline catches up and reappears.

Alia_R

I agree with _faedreamer. I find discipline trumps motivation; it allows for one to develop good habits. When you follow these habits day by day, you'll have the motivation to keep going.

beckyrpl

Motivation gets you started - determination helps you follow through and finish the process. You need both.

steveko89

You need both. You already have enough motivation to find yourself posting to an MFP forum, so that's a start. Harness motivation to foster positive habits and structure in your lifestyle that makes the "right" choice one of lesser resistance on those days when you're "just not feeling it", "could really use a <insert calorie-rich comfort food vice>", etc.

Figuring how to best remove obstacles to make things easier on future-less-motivated-you is going to look different for everyone. Your routine also isn't going to be flawless from day one either. The key is that when you do "fail" (which you will, we all do by some definition) is to not dwell on it emotionally but examine how to eliminate this mode of "failure" in the future and world to build the habits/discipline to prevent it.