Webster’s defines consistency as firmness of constitution or character. Consistency has been an issue for most of us at one time or another in our lifetime. There are a multitude of factors that can affect our consistency efforts; work, family, school, illness/injury, and the list goes on and on. Like most of us, I have had issues with consistency over the years with fitness and I have always had a reason (excuse) for it. As I have gotten older, I have become less critical with myself if I miss a day of training from being too busy or too tired. I used to beat myself up internally if I missed a day and that day would sometimes turn into a week before I got back on the workout train which sometimes made the mental block of training even harder to overcome. Now I think more about long term consistency and improving my physical longevity over my lifetime, no longer stressing about those moments when I miss a day here or there.
Motivation and discipline
I have used different strategies over the years to become more consistent; accountability partners, calendars, and training apps to name a few. Consistency can be tied to motivation and discipline; motivation can come from a variety of things such as a song that gets you fired up or a poster hanging in gym that pushes you to do more. Discipline is a deeper, internal driving force that outweighs motivation in my opinion. Discipline will be there for you when motivation cannot be found. Discipline is that thing that gets you up when you’d rather hit the snooze button and curl back up in the comfort and warmth of the bed.
How do you become more consistent?
Have a plan for training. Set obtainable and measurable goals. Don’t say “I want to lose weight” or “I will lose 25 pounds in a month”; these examples are too vague and not easily obtainable. Instead say “I will train 4 days a week with a weekly weight loss goal of 1-2 pounds until I reach my goal weight”.
Have a plan for meals. Avoid processed foods and refined sugars, bring along
Find accountability. Announce your goal to your family, friends, co-workers, or on social media. Nothing stimulates discipline like accountability.
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