This one goes out to all the people that know they need to do something about their posture, their movement, a new fitness or wellness habit, and know that it's time to start taking care of their body.
I'm speaking to those that don't have a routine yet, those that this goal looks too hard and scary.
60 days of Handstands
How to truly be disciplined.
We are doing away with working out when we feel "inspired." Instead we are shifting into the mindset of doing it because we are disciplined.
I'm going to reframe Discipline for you, and show you that you're ultimately getting freedom and self care.
Here are six steps and tools to help you shift your brain and become more diciplined. And I'm going to use my 60 day self-imposed handstand challenge as my example.
This is how I look at discipline and these are the mindset shifts I took in my journey and have helped others shift their mindset as well. .
1.Reframing Discipline when you are getting ready and during your movement journey.
Discipline will ultimately lead to freedom – freedom from pain, limitations, and uncertainty. Imagine waking up without pain, not having to modify workouts due to chronic pain, or worrying about costly medical interventions such as surgery injections and possibly walking away from what you love because your body isb't capable of doing it.
Imagine not being confined by your body's limitations.
Freedom in movement, encompassing strength, flexibility, and balance, provides you with choices. Now picture trusting your body, being able to say, "Today, I want to do ______," instead of, "What can my body handle today?"
2.Develop the discipline that is no longer about what we feel like, but rather a non-negotiable.
No, I'm not saying start working out 7 days a week for 3 hours a day. That my friend will get you a quick ticket into my office for an overuse injury and burnout. Rather, discipline is choosing one thing to change, and doing it a little bit every day. It's about consistency and quality with just the expectation that you showed up and you did "the thing."
So pick one thing to do for 60 days. And make it a non-negotiable.
3. Ask yourself, what is discipline to you?
Rethink what does being disciplined mean to you? Rewrite it if it's negative. Being disciplined does not mean you will be boring, mundane, no fun, strict, etc. What will you actually be? Happy? Vibrant? Competitive with yourself and your peers? Content? Confident?
Thinking about discipline like this will reposition the importance of it.
"Because I do this.. I get this. Discipline gives me______."
Example:
Because I did 60 days of Handstands, I now have stronger shoulders, so I can do more complex pole tricks. Discipline in my handstands gives me the ability to push harder in my personal training, which brings me joy.
What does dicipline mean to you? What does doing _________ for 60 days do for you? The end result will be_____.
4. Start small and build up.
The mind and body likes to achieve goals, so keep the goals simple and attainable. Make those massive goals into manageable pieces. Break it down over and over and over till you get a piece or part to do consistently.
And if you give yourself a couple goals, it's actually better.
Why? If you get at least 50 percent of your goals, then you are actually easier on yourself and get less discouraged. If you miss x but still do y and/or y & z your brain thinks I'm still winning. Remember the brain likes to check off boxes, or "win."
Make it something you can do every day. It doesn't need to be the hardest thing. Something simple at first.
For me, it was a handstand. I can do one without warming up. I can do one every day.
I gave myself 4 sub-goals in my challenge. Did I get all of them, nope. But I did get 2 out of the 4. Yes! Goal one was easy, just do it. Goal 2 was a bit harder. Goals 3 and 4 were goals that I would be surprised if I actually got them. I reached goals 1 and 2 by the end of the 60 days. Even though I didn't get 3 and 4, I still consider it a win, and goals 3 and 4 just require more time and training. See the mindset shift?
Your Goal could be flossing your teeth, dishes, waking up at the same time every day, foam rolling, glute bridges, somethinng that you can do that's a small goal every day.
5. Start to build the habit.
I like a 60/90/120 day challenge for myself.
Make it non- negotiable. If you miss a day, you start over.
Find accountability. Someone besides yourself. I chose social media, and actually had some friends join me..
Make the goal or rules attainable. For this challenge all I wanted was to get my hips over my head every day. It doesn't matter how long, or how difficult. I just wanted to be consistent.
Your goal could be to floss every morning, wake up at 6 am so that means you have to be in bed asleep by 10, 10 glute bridges, or foam rolling one body part a day.
6.Understand that discipline will cost you.
It’s going to cost you something. It’s not taking the easy way out. But, it gives you the dream that you want. It gives you the chances of getting those ultimate goals, those freedoms you crave and ultimately you’ll get. A small sacrifice of time, energy, or a choice now, will pay off in dividends later.
In the challenge, I did a handstand every day, even when it was an inconvenience, Some days I forgot and remembered when I was lying in bed at the end of the day. Despite lyinng in bed ready to fall asleep, I got up and did it, because I made the committment to myself and I know that the benefits outweigh the inconvenience.
What did I get from doing a handstand every day?
1. Wrist flexibility.
2. Shoulder strength.
3 Core Strength.
4. Balance.
5. Breath Control.
6. And calming my overactive brain.
To me, even if I have to get out of bed and do it in my PJ's, I'm doing it. The juice is worth the squeeze.
It might cost you a little time, inconvinence but ultimately something that's worth it. And track it. You'll see the improvement.
Final thoughts….
It doesn’t come down to how good it feels and if you are feeling inspired. Developing discipline is about creating the habit, making it a non- negotiable, advocating for YOURSELF and building your own self love and respect. How? Because you simply showed up and honored the commitment to yourself every dang day.
Here's the real thing to think about…By being disciplined and showing up consistently for yourself, you are actually providing your own self control, self care, self respect and self love.
You are the constant in your own life, and by being consistent you are showing yourself how much you matter.
It gives you the responsibility, empowerment, and capability to be in control of your own health and wellness.
Movement is freedom, discipline is self care.
-Lorae Lyn
Share this with a friend that wants to make a change in their life.
