Discipline requires making a choice. Systems take the choosing out of our lives. In many ways: the feeling of motivation is your brain's reaction to the excitement of exercising discipline. Delaying pleasure when you know it's good for you is rewarding, not exciting. There is a dopamine response when we know we are making a decision that is good for us in the long run. It may not be as euphoric or strong as instant-gratification, but it is still there.
Discipline + Dopamine = 'Motivation'
Input (1) + Input (2) = Output
One of these equations includes a variable we cannot control. Sometimes it's exciting, sometimes it plays a big part in our feeling about what it is we are doing. When we rely on a variable: it shouldn't be a surprise when we get varied results. Health and Fitness is more of a fixed equation than people believe, especially in the long run. If we are intentional about an input (from exercise volume to selection, emphasis or type) we will get a fixed outcome. If we can install a system: one that works, can be repeated, and that we feel confident and comfortable executing, we can assure our arrival at our desired location, the output. We can absolutely use motivation in enhance our experience, but relying on, or using it regularly leads you to taking on more than you can handle in the short run. This leads to an unsustainable expectation, and an overall decrease in the 'input' in the long run.
Designing a system starts with the realistic allocation of exercise into a space that your life currently permits. Either physically or mentally: if life has 'X' space, but you want exercise to be '2X', the equation is not going to balance. It won't balance with '0X' either. 'X' being smaller than we want isn't a bad thing. If we allow 'X' to be 'X', eventually life will permit for 'X' to grow. That's part of the system. Don't let your dream or expectation that 'X' be greater than it currently is be what derails your journey towards 'X' growing to what it could be. Your caterpillar isn't a butterfly yet, but if you provide an adequate cocoon (safe, warm, not too big, not too small), I can promise you: a butterfly will appear.
Designing a System for you may take some time and attention, you don't have to do it on your own. Lets get you started somewhere.
