There is still a certain degree of willpower involved in routines. I wakeup every morning and workout, and every morning I have to fight my brain to get out of bed. I've been doing that for 10 years.

That being said - I do feel like reducing the amount of willpower needed is the key. I love junk food, but if I never buy it at a grocery store it's much easier to cut it out. If I have no chips in the house I could still get some at the corner store, but I need to be much less disciplined than if the chips were in my pantry