Why Workout Discipline is More Important than Motivation

Does your workout motivation wax and wane on a daily basis? If so, you’re not alone—even elite athletes are not always motivated! What if, instead, you focused on building your workout discipline?  

If you rely solely on motivation to work out, you probably aren’t exercising consistently enough to meet your goals. Enter self-discipline to the rescue! 

Keep reading to learn how to start building your workout discipline today and feel your most energetic self, no matter what life tries to throw your way.  

Workout Discipline vs. Motivation 

Motivation and discipline can go hand in hand, but they’re not entirely the same. Workout motivation is the desire to achieve a goal. It is typically driven by a specific purpose or “why,” such as you want to run your first 5K or to be able to run around with your kids without feeling winded. 

When that motivation fades, it’s time to tap into that self-discipline. Workout discipline is what drives you when the novelty of a goal wears off. It’s basically your inner voice telling you to keep working out even when you don’t want to. (Yes, you can do this!) 

If you only worked out when you felt motivated, you probably wouldn’t see the results you were hoping for. This is why becoming self-disciplined is the key to achieving fitness goals beyond what you thought possible. 

Benefits Of Being Disciplined with Exercise

Establishing workout self-discipline benefits many aspects of your health. The next time you feel yourself veering off course, remember these improvements typically seen with workout discipline: 

• Lower body fat and higher muscle mass 

• Improved overall health and decreased disease risk

• Mental toughness and resilience

• Mood and mental health improvements

• Endurance, stamina, and strength

• A healthier weight

• Enhanced self-confidence 

My most successful clients are the ones who are disciplined in their habits and consistent in their workouts—and remember their motivational “why” to get them there when they need it.  

5 Ways To Improve Your Workout Discipline 

Everyone can succeed at workout self-discipline with a little practice. Here are 5 ways to start improving your workout discipline now.

1. Set specific goals. SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. Making SMART goals can help set you up for success with a clear fitness plan on how you’ll get from point A to point B. This will reduce the likelihood of barriers getting in your way because you’ll have a clear roadmap. For example, “I want to run a 5K in under 30 minutes by June, which will require me to run 3 days a week for at least 30 minutes each time." 

2. Take things slowly. Don’t pressure yourself to change overnight. I’ve had clients try to go from not working out at all to setting a goal of working out every day. Doing this only leads to burnout and frustration. Set one goal at a time, and make sure your goals are realistic and achievable for you.

3. Remember your why. Put a sticky note or some sort of visual reminder in a prominent place to remind you of why you started your workout journey in the first place. Just this simple habit can bring you back to your goals when other things try to take precedence.  

4. Seek instant gratification. We all want instant success in aspects of our life. The same holds true for your workouts, which is why it is key to routinely celebrate your achievements.  For example, maybe you’re lifting heavier than you were a few weeks ago, or you’re running longer without stopping. Write these wins down and frequently remind yourself how far you’ve come! 

5. Become mindful. Being aware of your goals and potential barriers helps you stay the course. Take some time to understand your triggers, temptations, and what motivates you so you can set yourself up for success each and every day. 

Crush Your Fitness Goals with Self-Discipline 

Being self-disciplined doesn’t always come naturally, but it can be learned. It’s normal to not feel motivated all the time, but building workout discipline will keep you moving forward in your fitness journey to feel your strongest, happiest self. 

And when you need an energizing boost before or after your workouts, look no further than Garden of Life SPORT, a high-quality line of protein powders and protein bars to fit your fitness goals. All of these products are whole-food based, organic, and third-party certified to uphold the highest standards. 

References 

1. Warburton DE, Nicol CW, Bredin SS. Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence. CMAJ. 2006 Mar 14;174(6):801-9. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.051351. PMID: 16534088; PMCID: PMC1402378.  

2. Lu Y, Yu K, Gan X. Effects of a SMART Goal Setting and 12-Week Core Strength Training Intervention on Physical Fitness and Exercise Attitudes in Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jun 23;19(13):7715. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19137715. PMID: 35805372; PMCID: PMC9265703.