4 min
Discipline is action and motivation is a feeling. In this blog post, we will teach you the difference between the two, and how to become more disciplined.
I’ve been active for my entire life.
I played sports growing up, throughout high school, and continued my fitness while in and out of the military.
I honestly can’t recall a time when I took more than two weeks off from the gym. Even after multiple knee surgeries, I still found ways to stay active—doing upper body strength training or whatever I could manage.
This week, one of our members said to me,
“But you’re a coach! You have to love working out! It’s easy for you.”
I replied,
“Well, no. I almost never want to workout, but I know I need to, so I do it. I still need to make time for it.”
Because I know how good I’ll feel afterward.
In the short term:
In the long-term
When I don’t feel like working out, I remind myself of both of those things.
You’ve heard the question before:
“Do you rely on motivation or discipline?”
If I only worked out when I felt motivated, I would workout a handful or less times per month.
When I choose to rely on my discipline, I make it a habit to workout 5 days per week. I don’t usually workout on weekends, unless I want to go on a 30-60 minute run.
Motivation is a feeling– like happiness or sadness. It comes and goes.
When you feel motivated, ride the wave and take action!
But you can’t rely on motivation alone.
At Showdown Training Club, we build motivation into the experience:
Despite having a great coach, community, and workouts you love, we can get stuck in our own ways.
Our personal lives, finances, preferences, and schedules change, which can throw off our rhythm.
These changes in mood and feelings may kill your drive to workout.
I know when I’m stressed, the last thing I want to do is workout.
But, I show up and do it anyways, because I remember that I will feel better when I finish.
That’s when discipline comes in.
Think about this:
Why do you brush your teeth every day?
Not because you love it, but because you don’t want bad breath or rotten teeth when you’re older.
Apply the same thinking to fitness.
Why work out every day?
Because it makes you feel better now and keeps you healthier for decades to come.
Discipline is action. It’s the act of doing something you know you should do—even when you don’t feel like it.
Work out every day knowing you’re building a stronger, healthier version of yourself.
Fitness is a lifelong pursuit. You don’t “arrive” and then stop.
These are uncomfortable truths. But no one else can do it for you.
As much as we coach and support you, you are the one who has to show up and put in the work.
If you’re ready to build discipline, stay consistent, and change your life,
Book a free No-Sweat Intro here.
We’ll help you get started with a plan that works for you.
Chat with a coach to learn more about what program will fit your lifestyle and your goals.
