Want to Be More Committed? Improve Your Fitness

Getting in Physical Shape Will Increase Your Discipline in Everything

By Brent Flory

I was reading an article last year about Shabazz Muhammad, an NBA player for the Minnesota Timberwolves, when a comment he made leapt off the page at me.

“I think my commitment changed with my body,” Shabazz said in the article, explaining why he was enjoying greater success in his second year in the league in comparison to his first.

When you are referring to sports, of course it makes sense that taking greater care of your physical conditioning will lead to improved performance on the court or field. But how many entrepreneurs and professionals ignore their health, and wonder why they lack discipline in other areas? How often do you see a physician or nurse counsel a patient to quit smoking, then run outside on their break to puff on their own cigarette?

Quitting smoking is a huge challenge for a lot of people. However, there are ways to make stopping that little bit easier. Some people use vaping to ease the transition process. Vaping involves using a slim vape pen to inhale vapors produced by e-liquids that can satisfy nicotine cravings. If you are thinking of giving up smoking, researching stop smoking aids like vape pens could be a useful place to start.

Once you’ve committed to the transition, you can start looking into the various flavors of E-liquides – as the French would say – of which there is a vast selection. Not sure where to purchase your vaping products? Simply head to your nearest Vape Shop or browse some of the fantastic vaping product websites out there to learn about all the latest vaping devices, e-liquids, and more.

Are you struggling to find the discipline you need to take an evening class to pursue that masters degree? Want to commit to spending more time with your family, but keep coming up with reasons you justify why you cannot? Have you been thinking of volunteering in your community, but just can’t get yourself to follow through on making it happen?

Make a commitment to bettering your physical health – you could utilize a variety of workout equipment, including stability balls and battle ropes – and your commitment level in everything else will grow too. To phrase it differently, if you won’t care for your body, you likely won’t care enough to better yourself in other areas.

“If you really want to do something, you will find a way, and if you don’t, you will find an excuse.” -Jim Rohn

No one wants to be the person making excuses, we want to be difference makers. Don’t allow a case of the “I’m too’s” to stop you.

• “I’m too busy.”
• “I’m too tired.”
• “I’m too (insert preferred excuse).”

Here are a few simple ways I’ve personally found helpful that can aid you in making a change in caring for your body that will flow into other areas of your life.

Where to Start in Taking Care of Your Body

1. Slow down and reflect.

You don’t need a ton of time, but take a few minutes today and sincerely ask yourself, “How am I doing in taking care of my body?” Think back over the last couple of weeks on the pattern of how often you have been working out, and what your dietary pattern has been.

Take the time to write it out, the reality of where we are hits harder when it’s in front of us in black and white.

2. Ignore shame messages.

When you are reminded of something you should be doing, it is easy to begin beating yourself up, which is not the least bit helpful. Shame seeks to identify you by your failures, self-awareness acknowledges where you are so you can make healthy changes. Choose to be self-aware.

3. Get a team of supporters.

No one makes meaningful, difficult changes that last without support. You need to enlist the support of others in getting fit.

• Consult a physician first to give you medical guidance as you work to improve your physical health.
• Ask at least two friends to give you accountability and encouragement.

4. Go after small progress, not perfection.

Taking great strides often begins with small steps. Fad diets and overly ambitious workout programs will make you sick and sore and kill your motivation. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will a healthier you, and that’s okay.

I really see a big difference in my commitment levels across the board when I am working out regularly. It has worked for me, and it can work for you too. That first step of exercise today can be the first step toward the success you’ve dreamed of achieving. Get moving and go for it.