Get Your Sh*t Together: Habits, Discipline, and Owning Your Health
Get Your Sh*t Together: Habits, Discipline, and Owning Your Health
We’ve all been there. That moment when you look at yourself in the mirror and think, “Okay, this is it. I’m done. Tomorrow, I’m turning everything around!” You’re pumped. You’re motivated. Maybe you even buy a gym membership or splurge on a bunch of supplements.
And then, tomorrow comes.
But instead of turning everything around, you hit the snooze button five times, tell yourself you'll go for a run after work, and end up binge-watching Netflix with takeout by the end of the day. Sound familiar?
It’s time to face the hard truth: You can’t change your health or your life unless you get your sh*t together. And no, that doesn’t mean chasing some impossible “perfect” version of yourself. It means building habits and discipline that make change not just possible, but inevitable.
Motivation Is Overrated—Here’s What Actually Works
First things first: stop relying on motivation. Motivation is fickle. One minute you’re inspired by an Instagram post or a fitness video, and the next, you're back to your old routines. The problem with motivation is that it’s temporary. It’s a spark, not a fire. And like all sparks, it burns out quickly. Relying on it is like trying to light a campfire with wet wood—it doesn’t last.
So what’s the alternative? Habits.
The Keystone Habit
Let’s talk about something called a “keystone habit.” This is the one small habit that, when done consistently, can transform multiple areas of your life. It’s like the first domino in a chain reaction. For some, that keystone habit is simple: drinking a glass of water every morning. For others, it might be hitting 10,000 steps a day or logging their meals.
Once you establish a keystone habit, other habits start to fall into place. You feel more in control, and your success builds on itself. Here’s why: your brain loves routines. When you do something every day, your brain learns to automate it. It’s no longer a decision you have to agonize over—it’s just something you do. And that’s the beauty of habits—they take the hard work out of showing up.
The Rule of 3
To build habits that stick, try the Rule of 3:
Start Small: Pick three habits that seem ridiculously easy to achieve. The goal isn’t to challenge yourself—it’s to build momentum.
Commit for 30 Days: Habits take time to form. Give yourself a solid month to lock in these new behaviors.
Track Progress: Write it down. Seriously. Get a journal, an app, a whiteboard—whatever works. When you physically track your progress, it becomes real. You can’t ignore it.Why Discipline Beats Motivation Every Time
If habits are the foundation, discipline is the glue that holds everything together. Look, nobody likes talking about discipline because it’s not sexy. It doesn’t have the flashy appeal of before-and-after photos or the hype of 30-day transformations. But here’s the thing: discipline is what actually gets sh*t done.
When motivation inevitably fades, discipline steps in. It’s what keeps you going on the days you’d rather stay in bed. It’s what makes you hit the gym after a long day of work, even when every part of you wants to relax.
Think about every successful person you know. Do you think they’re motivated every single day? Hell no. They just know how to show up. And that’s what discipline is: the ability to show up, day in and day out, whether you feel like it or not.
I had a friend—let’s call him Jake—who wanted to lose weight. Every Monday, like clockwork, he’d announce a new diet plan. By Wednesday, he was already skipping workouts and justifying cheat meals with excuses like, “I’ll make up for it next week.” This went on for months. Then one day, Jake stopped talking about his diet. He just started doing the work.
What changed? He got serious about discipline. He stopped relying on motivation, made a commitment to show up, and put in the effort even when it sucked. Spoiler: He lost the weight. And he’s kept it off because he developed the discipline to maintain his habits long after the initial excitement wore off.
The Real Reason You’re Not Where You Want to Be
Ready for a gut check? If you’re not where you want to be health-wise, it’s probably not because of your genes, your busy schedule, or some other external factor. It’s because you haven’t taken full responsibility for your situation.
Harsh? Maybe. True? Definitely.
We love to blame everything outside of ourselves for why we can’t change. “I don’t have time.” “My metabolism is slow.” “I just have bad luck.” But here’s the thing: You are in control of your health. And even in situations where you can’t control everything (hello, chronic illness or injury), you can control how you respond to it.
When you take ownership of your health, something incredible happens. You stop feeling powerless. Instead of blaming your circumstances, you start looking for solutions. You realize that even on your worst days, you can still do something that moves you closer to your goals.
No More Excuses
Too busy to cook? Meal prep on Sundays or find healthier options on the go.
Too tired to work out? Move anyway. Even a 10-minute walk is better than nothing.
Can’t resist junk food? Learn about portion control and enjoy it in moderation.The moment you stop making excuses is the moment you take back control.
Practical Steps to Get Your Sh*t Together
So how do you actually start owning your health? Here’s a simple, no-nonsense guide to get started:
Set Realistic Goals - Forget about losing 50 pounds or running a marathon next month. Start with something small—like losing 1 pound this week or running for 5 minutes a day. Small goals are more manageable and less intimidating, making it easier to stay consistent.
Track Everything - What gets measured gets managed. Whether it’s tracking your food intake, your workouts, or your sleep, keeping a record helps you stay accountable. There are tons of apps to make this easier (MyFitnessPal, Strava, Fitbit—you name it), but even a simple notebook will do the trick.
Be Relentless, Not Perfect - Perfection is the enemy of progress. You will mess up. You’ll miss a workout. You’ll eat that pizza. And guess what? It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you get back on track the next day. Health is a long game, and the people who succeed are the ones who keep going despite the setbacks.
Find a Support System - Surround yourself with people who support your goals. Whether it’s a workout buddy, a coach, or an online community, having accountability makes the journey less lonely and more sustainable.
