I've started and quit fitness journeys more times than I'd like to admit. Ran a half-marathon, then stopped. Built muscle, then let it fade. Each time, I blamed motivation or discipline. But when my metabolism slowed at 25 and my belly forced me back to the gym, I finally understood what was missing. I discovered that lasting change doesn't come from chasing distant goals—it comes from celebrating small wins. A new exercise learned. Heavier weights lifted. These milestones became the fuel that willpower alone could never provide.