If you ever asked me for the ONE key to success, I would tell you consistency. You can’t really lose weight crash dieting all week and then overeating like crazy on the weekends. You won’t likely make strides in any fitness goal working out twice a day every day for two weeks only to crash and burn and do nothing for months. That’s why I tend to stress the importance of finding a balanced approach to food and workouts you enjoy because then consistency becomes more realistic.
Even then, we may “fall off the wagon”, so to speak. So we must remember, consistency isn’t perfection. Consistency lies in refusing to give up. In moving right back to those better habits and choices as soon as possible. It’s understanding that while slip-ups can (and likely will) happen, they are not the defining factor.
Consistency isn’t perfection; it’s refusing to give up.
What are your thoughts? Agree? Disagree?
{ 19 comments }
Oh my gosh, completely agree! It also helps to enjoy what you’re doing! Sometimes a torture workout feels good, but finding things you wan tondo when working out makes I better! Our world needs to quit with perfection! No one is perfect and we aren’t meant to be!
Agree! and if you’re consistent and miss a few days no big deal…you can still see some progress. Blowing it off for months however, gets me into a rut where I don’t feel like I can ever start over!
I couldn’t agree with this MORE! I really struggled for years with a black or white concept of either eating and exercising perfectly every day or doing nothing at all. It was only when I started to let go of that perfectionistic mindset that I was able to be free from that and start to live in this body I was given, imperfect as it may be and imperfect as the choices I made could be. Consistency, not perfection is the answer. Thank you for such a truthful post! I wish I had read it years earlier.
I agree! And I would add that I wouldn’t even refer to “falling off the wagon” or “slip-ups” . . . I feel like it has too negative of a connotation. I read somewhere the other day not to say “cheat” meals, instead call them “treat” meals, because that’s exactly what they are. A treat. For every once in a while. No need to give a treat a negative vibe! I love your advice to stay consistent. That really is the key to health and happiness over the long haul!
yes, yes yes!! I fully agree that consistency is the key to fitness, food, well anything really that you are looking to change or find success doing.
I totally agree. If I don’t get out of bed for a workout, I don’t give up, I do it the next day.
I find starting small (and having small successes) helps me to move on to bigger goals with more confidence – with which I’m more likely to accomplish them.
I’m big on the small successes first thing too. actually have a post planned with that in the near future too. Great minds think alike.
AGREE. completely. It’s not about taking the all-or-nothing approach. It’s about doing our best at all times–not being perfect AND being okay with that!
Love this.
I completely agree! Never giving up is key, about two years ago I started practicing Seven-Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu, and I try to go to 3 to 4 classes a week, but I have had weeks where I’ve only gone to 1 class, or less, but I just pick up the next week and go as often as I can. Kung Fu is something where if you do end up taking too much time off, it is very hard to get back into it and remember all your forms and other things that take a long time to learn.
Sounds like an amazing challenge! And I love your approach to it. Not expecting perfection in doing the 3-4 classes EVERY week probably makes it easier for you to stay committed so you don’t end up with months off all of a sudden. Still think that sounds so cool!
So true! Always important to remember that no one is perfect but if you keep working you will succeed.
Love it!
This rings true with my experience, but I since I’ve been feeling a little discouraged with an injury, I needed the reminder. Thanks!
Love this! I also try to take the balanced approach to everything in life
Beautiful post, and I’m mentally bookmarking it to add to my love links at the end of the week!
I agree — something along the lines of consistency and patience. You can do all the right things but you need to have the trust to wait it out and see the results!
I totally agree. I noticed many more differences in my fitness strength since being mostly consistent.
I LOVE this mantra and totally agree!!! What a dead-on post Tina! It goes hand in hand with strive for excellence and not perfection!
Great post. Too many times, people jump into too much too soon. It’s much better to start with a small workout and build up then to wear yourself out with long workouts and stop working out. Consistency is definitely the key.
This is great- and just what I needed to hear today! I missed two workout days this week and have been feeling all wibbly about it. So this was perfect! Thank you!