There are so many reasons why eating healthy and exercising are important on our journey. But for many of us, it’s not always simple. Discipline alone doesn’t always solve the challenge, especially when we’re facing physical, emotional, or spiritual obstacles. So how do we move beyond those barriers?

Personally, I spent the last year dealing with health issues that kept me mostly sedentary. Climbing out of that into a more active lifestyle has been one of the hardest things I’ve done. People often say, “It just takes discipline,” but what does that really mean?

It starts with being honest about why you want to change. For a long time, I was motivated by how I wanted to look. And while there’s nothing wrong with wanting to feel confident in your appearance, if that’s your only motivation, it can be hard to stay consistent.

My real breakthrough came when I aligned my “why” with God’s purpose for my life:

I want to hear from the Holy Spirit clearly.

I want to have the energy and stamina to walk in my purpose.

I want my life to be a testimony of God’s healing power, not one marked by constant sickness.

Yes, God can heal miraculously. But He also calls us to steward the healing we ask for. That means giving our bodies the nourishment, movement, and care they need. Healing often begins with obedience.

From there, it’s about creating a new routine. Maybe you can see the version of yourself who meal preps, eats clean, and works out daily. But when real life doesn’t match that image right away, it’s easy to feel discouraged. We have to stop expecting overnight transformation.

If you’ve spent years doing things a certain way, it won’t reverse in a moment. But it can shift over time. Start small and be consistent:

If all you can do is walk for 10 minutes, then walk for 10 minutes.

If all you can manage is replacing one sugary drink with water, then do that.

Master one thing, then build from there.

Most importantly, give yourself grace. You’re not perfect, and God doesn’t expect you to be. What matters is that your heart is willing to move forward.

Progress isn’t about doing everything right. It’s about being able to look at yourself a year from now and say, “I’ve grown. I’m healthier. I’m stronger.”

Life is hard. Many of us are dealing with mental battles, physical pain, work stress, and daily demands. But don’t let failure make you stop. Just because you stumble in a race doesn’t mean you can’t finish strong.

God is with you in every step. Let His grace fuel your discipline. Let His voice be louder than your guilt. And remember, this body of yours, this whole temple, was made to carry His glory.