Bubs58 ans SXIPro, I totally understand what you're saying and I agree 100%. Unfortunately, in my case, it is not enough to appeal to reason because my lack of discipline is just too severe. I'm not sure if it's my upbringing or what, but I can't seem to push through in the way I've seen many other people do it (including some close personal friends). I study sociology and I have a somewhat complicated idea of agency and structure, which while academically and theoretically valid on a sociological level, at the level of my own personal psyche, I may be employing it to justify not taking responsibility for my actions. I truly believe this theory, and I don't intend on giving it up, however, it explains only populations and it is not meant to explain individual behavior. I just need to stop intellectualizing the decisions I make, I guess. As you guys can probably see by now, my problem with discipline is one of over intellectualization of the issue. Discussions in the past always lead me to question the nature of free will and things like that, when the practical (although not necessarily the more accurate) thing would be to accept some sort of authoritative response. Of course this is me analyzing me, this does not necessarily operate on a conscious level, in spite of the fact that I am conscious of it now.
KMarshal, this is interesting, because this is sort of the type of influence I wish I had. It seems everybody in my life knows how to push the wrong buttons, those that lead me deeper into the well of addiction and irresponsibility. But there must be people who are professionals at this, people who know how to push the right buttons, and that guide you rather than push you. However, I disagree when you say that it is all a matter of perspective and not discipline. I don't believe the two are mutually exclusive. But in any case, at this point I appear to be rambling.
Anyway, I was reading this thread here, which I find rather insightful:
http://training.fitness.com/weight-loss/weight-loss-intricate-27164.html
Particularly the section of the power of choice. However, this is too abstract to be of any use to me. When I quit (or took a haitus) from smoking the first time, the counselor told me that when I wanted a cigarette, I should do something else for a while and try to forget about it. They also told me to switch brand to something I didn't like, before my "quit date." These are the sort of concrete ideas I think people need to succeed, particularly the stubborn and undisciplined. The point is at some point I quit making the right choice and started making the wrong choice again.
In any case, I think talking explicitly about this is going to help. People say you have to visualize success, and there is truth to this. It is not a guarantee, but it is success is impossible without it I would presume.
Also, I will keep posting here regarding my decisions so that you guys can offer your input and such.
So, I think I'm going to call the American Cancer Society because they have a pretty good quit line. And you see how this is helping, because I've been saying I was going to do that, but having said it publicly, then I am going to do it NOW!
Furthermore, I think that I need some concrete advice on exercise. I think I should start light, and probably get a physical. I could probably get this done at school, since we have a cheap clinic as students.
So that's a very unnecessarily long post. Sorry. I just needed to get all this out and get the ball rolling, and I didn't see any other way. I'll keep you guys posted
