We all want to see results. Maybe there’s a skill you’ve been chasing in the gym for awhile, or you’d like to lose 10lbs, or you want to become an avid reader, or earn the big promotion at work. Whatever that looks like for you, there’s an area in your life you’re wanting to see progress. The thing about results though, is that they don’t just magically happen. There is work that has to be done in order for us to achieve them and, for most, that achievement comes through consistency over time. Consistency might not be easy, but it is the key to long term progress and seeing those results.
Since we’re in the fitness industry, let’s use the example of losing weight. In January, you set a goal for yourself to lose 10 lbs by March 1. You start off the new year with drive and determination. You’re working out 6 days/week and your nutrition game is on point. You’re food prepping every Sunday, eating all your veggies, you’re crushing it. Three weeks in, you wake up a little sore on Tuesday and decide to skip the gym. Wednesday night the kids have an event that doesn’t allow you to come in at your normal time so you don’t workout that night either. You tell yourself it’s not a big deal, you’ll get back in the gym on Thursday. And you do. Over the next month and a half though, your progress stalls. You’re no longer hitting the gym 5-6 days/week but rather 2-3 times. Your nutrition isn’t as good as it was but hey, you’re not eating at McDonalds either. When March 1 rolls around, you’re disappointed in what the scale says. How could you have only lost 3 pounds??
Now this might sound extreme but it happens to a lot of well intentioned people. We all want to see results. The big question becomes, are we invested enough in those outcomes to put in the consistency required to achieve them? Life is messy and our schedules are chaotic. Even our best laid plans sometimes fall apart and we have to adjust on the fly (something I’m personally not so good at). But how important is that goal? Is it important enough to come to the gym at 5am when you know you can’t get there after work? To walk past the cake at your coworkers anniversary party because it’s the 3rd one this week? Now don’t get me wrong, life isn’t all serious business either. I’m not suggesting we never take a rest day or never partake in social events that revolve around food (gosh, that sounds awful). I am, however, suggesting that you change the frequency of how much you partake in those things if you’re serious about achieving your goals. You must make better choices more consistently in order to see the desired results.
So how do you become more consistent? It starts with one decision and building small habits over time. Maybe you’re the person who works out twice a week and wants to add consistency but man, 6 days a week is hard! Start with adding in a third day. When that becomes a habit, add in a fourth. Do you find yourself sore on that fourth day? Talk to your coach and let them know what you’re trying to do but that you’re feeling beat up. Let them help you adjust the workout to a more active recovery day. Maybe you just can’t say no when there’s a food day at work. Say it once. Turn down that dessert one time that day. Then do it again the next day. Pretty soon, saying no starts to get a little bit easier. The results won’t happen without the work but if you take small strides each day to become more consistent, you will eventually get there. We believe in you. Are you ready to be more consistent?
