overall happiness, but only one that creates long-term success: discipline. Whether you’re looking to improve your diet, fitness, or even your relationships, discipline is essential for living a healthy lifestyle.

Discipline becomes extremely powerful when combined with goal-setting and planning. It allows you to stay in control of yourself and your reactions to any situation.  If you want to take control of your habits and your choices, here are some tips for building self-discipline:

• Set clear goals. It’s important to have a clear idea of what you hope to accomplish. If you don’t have a clear idea of your destination, it’s much easier to become side-tracked. A clear plan outlines the goals and the steps you must take to reach your goals. Identify exactly what it is you’d like to accomplish and how you’ll stay on track.
• Set an alarm to eat regularly. When you’re hungry, your brain is not operating at its fullest potential, causing a lack of concentration. On the Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan^®, it’s important to eat every two – three hours. Keep a Fueling in your bag or car to have a quick, healthy solution if you start to get hungry. Allow your brain to focus on your priorities instead of a growling stomach.
• Remove distractions. Removing all distractions is a crucial step when you’re working on strengthening your self-discipline. If you’re trying to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle, start by tossing all of the junk food from your pantry and refrigerator. As the old saying goes, “out of sight, out of mind”.
• Reward yourself. Self-discipline can be hard, so it’s important to reward your efforts. While implementing new habits, treat yourself when you hit a goal or milestone. This will motivate you to continue working toward your goals.
• Forgive yourself. As humans, we make mistakes. It’s how you handle these mistakes that will determine your success going forward. If you have a setback, acknowledge it and move on. Forgive yourself and get right back into your routine. The longer you’re off your game, the harder it is to move forward in a positive direction.

There’s no way to perfect discipline—it is actually a learned behavior that requires constant repetition and practice in our everyday lives. Think of it as a muscle that needs to be trained daily.

Improving your self-discipline will equip you to deal with conflicts, establish Healthy Habits, and improve your control.