The Skirt or the Chocolate? What Do You Want More?

You know the moment. You’re standing in your closet, holding that skirt you love—the one that used to fit just right. And then there’s the chocolate bar calling your name from the pantry. One represents long-term change. The other? Instant gratification.

So… what do you want more?

This isn’t just about a skirt or a snack. It’s about the deeper tug-of-war we all face between short-term comfort and long-term transformation. And let’s be honest—getting lean, getting strong, getting healthy—it comes at a cost. But maybe not the cost you think.

💡 The Real Cost Isn’t Just Physical

We often talk about the cost of getting lean like it’s about giving up treats, logging workouts, or skipping pizza night. But the real cost? It’s learning to say no—not just to food, but to the habits that keep us stuck.

Think about how we raise children. We teach them to wait their turn, to eat their veggies, to go to bed on time. We say no to candy before dinner, no to endless screen time, no to skipping school. Why? Because we’re teaching them how to cope in the real world. We’re building resilience, discipline, and emotional regulation.

Now imagine if that same child started binge eating, binge watching, skipping sleep, and refusing to move their body. We’d intervene immediately. We’d set boundaries, create structure, and guide them back to healthy habits.

But when we do those same things as adults? We call it “coping.” We say we’re tired, stressed, overwhelmed. And we are. But we’re also human—not superhuman—and we need daily habits to stay well.

🧠 Why We Do What We Do

Every action has a purpose. We scroll because we’re bored. We snack because we’re stressed. We skip workouts because we’re overwhelmed. We binge shows because we’re avoiding something.

Our brains are wired for immediate gratification. That dopamine hit from sugar, screens, or skipping responsibilities feels good right now. But it doesn’t serve us long-term.

🔁 The Practice of Saying No

Self-discipline isn’t punishment—it’s practice. It’s the daily decision to choose what we want most over what we want now. It’s not glamorous. It’s not always fun. But it’s powerful.

And here’s the truth: You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to be superhuman. You just need to show up. Every day. Even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.

🔥 The Short-Term Struggle Is Real—But Worth It

When we start choosing the things that matter long-term—health, energy, purpose—there’s a cost in the short term. And it’s not always pretty.

You will be hungry.

You will be uncomfortable.

You will get frustrated.

Why? Because you’re learning new coping strategies. You’re rewiring patterns that have been your go-to for years. You’ll have to learn how to prepare food that actually fuels you. You’ll need to carve out time to cook, to rest, to go to bed instead of staying up scrolling.

You’ll have to say no to screens and shows so you can finish the work that sets your day up for success. And yes—you might want to throw a tantrum. Because it won’t feel comfortable. It won’t feel easy. But it will be worth it.

Nothing changes unless nothing changes.   That’s why change rarely sticks—because discomfort makes us want to run back to what’s familiar. But friend, hear me:

🌟 Your life is valuable.

🌍 You were created with a purpose.

🕊️ You were made for this time—right now, right here.

🌱 Long-Term Health > Short-Term Fixes

So maybe today you choose the skirt. Maybe tomorrow you choose the chocolate. But over time, you learn to choose you. Your health. Your habits. Your future.

Because the cost of getting lean isn’t just about food or fitness—it’s about becoming someone who can say no when it matters, and yes to the life you actually want and were made to live.