
provides insights that have worked for my personal journey for nearly a decade of: weight loss, body re-composition, and weight maintenance.
Throughout my journey, I’ve learned that the biggest reason my earlier attempts failed was because my approach was overly restrictive and rigid which led me to be reliant on willpower (a muscle of the mind that I had to develop when it came to managing my weight). In the beginning, because my plans were not realistic to my specific lifestyle, it left me feeling miserable and ultimately led to setbacks, which included relapsing into unhealthy habits when it came to my nutrition; my workouts became stalled because of the lack of motivation for success - feeling frustrated and discouraged, I relapsed and continued to regain unwanted weight.
What prompted the change to sustainable progress was understanding that I had to shift my mindset and my perspective when it came down to my health and wellness, especially if I wanted to progress and maintain my progress. Understanding that 1: I was in control of my body and ultimately am in charge of my what I choose to consume, and 2: that real, lasting change takes time, patience and education - It required me to build habits that truly supported that change, and working to develop those habits will not - and- does not happen overnight.
I am living proof that even the habits you once thought were impossible can become second nature. Positive transformation is possible when you apply the right kind of effort.
This newsletter offers insight into what that effort looks like and how I can help guide you on your own journey toward sustainable progress, and success!
Thank you for stopping by, and welcome.
Motivation doesn’t always show up, but in the beginning of one’s health and wellness journey, there are times discipline doesn’t either.
In the early stages, it’s common to feel stuck between wanting change and not yet having the habits to support it. Motivation comes and goes depending on your mood, energy, and circumstances. Discipline, on the other hand, is something that must be developed over time through consistent action. But what happens when neither is strong enough to carry you forward?
That’s where a plan comes in. A blueprint gives you structure when your emotions waver. It removes the guesswork and gives you something solid to follow, even on the days when you don’t feel like showing up. Think of it as your personal roadmap; it doesn’t just tell you what to do, it helps train your mind to stay committed when your motivation fades.
Over time, following that plan builds mental strength; the ability to keep promises to yourself and push through resistance. That mental strength is your willpower. It’s the muscle that grows every time you choose action over excuses, structure over chaos, and long-term growth over short-term comfort.
So, when motivation is missing and discipline feels distant, lean on your blueprint. It’s not just a plan for your body, it’s a plan for your mind.
As a health coach, my role is to help you create a personalized blueprint and guide you through it step by step. I help you create a plan that fits your lifestyle, goals, and mindset — not a one-size-fits-all routine, but something realistic and sustainable.
I’m here to hold you accountable on the days when motivation fades and to help you find direction when discipline feels out of reach. Together, we focus on building healthy habits, small wins, and mindset shifts that strengthen your willpower over time.
Transformation happens through consistent effort, guided by a clear plan and supported by someone who believes in your potential. My goal isn’t just to get you started; it’s to help you stay consistent, even when life gets busy or progress feels slow.
Written and Published by,
Teresa Maharaj
10/17/2025
As your health coach, I’ll help you:
When it comes to health and wellness, especially with weight loss and weight maintenance, we often give discipline all the credit. Strict diets, rigid workout plans, and willpower are commonly seen as the ultimate keys to success. But I believe that the truth is more nuanced than that. I believe that the marriage between motivation and discipline is what truly
sustains long-term progress.
Think of it like this - motivation is the emotional spark that ignites the internal engine. Let's say maybe you’re inspired by the idea of fitting in to a favorite outfit, or perhaps you want to have more energy for your kids, OR maybe it’s the feeling of being confident in your physical body. Whatever this may be, this initial spark and emotional connection is the groundwork for your “WHY?”. It's this groundwork that is so powerful that it should never be discounted because this is what gets you started, this is your foundation.
With respects to discipline, I like to think of discipline as the fuel that keeps the engine running; or the framework to the foundation.
Even though starting the healthy habit can be exciting in the very beginning, the reality is that motivation alone is fleeting. It is normal for motivation to fade on busy or stressful days. Busy schedules, deadlines, and life’s inevitable stressors can dim that initial excitement and enthusiasm. This is where discipline steps in to help. And I'm not talking about approaching it in the form of having a harsh, strict, or rigid manner and perspective. No, no, instead, it has to have a gentle yet firm framework of consistent habits you build deliberately over time.
Remember, nothing changes if nothing changes, and if utilized properly, discipline can
turn motivation into lasting results.
Habit modification is not about perfection or extreme restrictions. If the goal is to sustain progress in a forward direction, then they (habit modification, that is) should be about small, repeatable actions like committing to one small habit that can eventually progress to more consistent habits. Things like drinking more water, or taking 10 minute walks, can turn into choosing more nutrient dense meal options, or working out at least 3 times per week. Over weeks and months, and most importantly - YEARS! - these choices can become automatic, making it easier to maintain your health and wellness goals.
Most importantly, weight loss maintenance depends on this balance.
Motivation rekindles your purpose, your “WHY?”, especially when things feel stale. Discipline ensures that your progress doesn’t unravel when life gets to life-ing (which never stops).
Together, they can help you create a sustainable lifestyle that supports both, your physical and mental health, and well-being.
Written and Published by,
Teresa Maharaj
9/19/2025
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