Consistency is a topic that is talked about often when talking about reaching goals. You may be tired of hearing it or maybe you haven’t really found a way to be consistent just yet. I like to revisit this topic every so often because it is really that important. We are always looking for the next best thing or a trick that will help us reach our goals. I have the best news for you because consistency is the answer you are looking for. In this post we are going to look at different ways to be consistent, even with a busy schedule!
Before sitting down to write this I started my weekend morning like I always do. I drank some coffee, made breakfast, and then got ready for my workout. When my workouts do not have long runs in them I sometimes bring out a speaker and listen to music or I just do the workout. This particular workout started out with a mile run so I popped in my airpods and turned on one of my favorite podcast, The Goal Digger Podcast by Jenna Kutcher. She had Ed Mylett on her show and they spend the time talking about his new book and one big thing stuck with me while listening, just try for one more day. He kept saying the phrase “one more day” and it really hit close to home with how I view my workouts. There are so many times I want to quit but I just commit to show up for one more day!
And in case you are reading this thinking ok well that sounds great but HOW do I keep showing up, well I’ve got that covered! Here are the ways that I make this happen!
#01 Have a Plan
Having a plan is the biggest tool I’ve got. I know that if I am intentional about being healthy, whether that be eating well or exercising, it will get done if I have that plan. For years I have tried to just wing it. I had the mentality that I would workout if I had time but honestly if I didn’t make the time it wouldn’t happen. We are busy! There is always something to do. Prioritizing my day became essential if I wanted to have time to exercise. So that is what I did!
At the beginning of each week I plan out our meals for the week. I look at our obligations and I plan meals that will make sense for the time I have. After that I figure out which days of the week will make the most sense to get in a workout and which days will be my off days. I even go as far to figure out what my workouts will be for those days and what I need to do to be successful. Sometimes that means I have to ask for help watching my boys or it means I need to plan a workout I can do while sitting at my son’s soccer practice.
If you want to make it happen, make a plan!
#02 Letting Go Of Perfection
Letting go of my idea of perfection was huge in making myself consistent. I used to think that my workouts had to be super intense to be beneficial. My years at crossfit showed me that I had to push myself to the limits each day for my workouts to be considered good enough. It wasn’t until I found a new workout program, and started workout out at home, did I realize how beneficial just showing up was!
Not every day was going to be my best and once I accepted that, showing up each day got easier. There was no more worrying about competing with other people or pushing myself to lift weights I probably shouldn’t be lifting. I was now just focusing on moving every single day. Some days I push myself really hard and sometimes running 200 meters is a struggle. It can get frustrating but at the end of the day I know I’m still showing up and putting in the work!
Consistency does not mean putting in all you have every single day. It means that you will show up every day even when you don’t want to. Some days you are going to feel great and other days you will feel horrible. All that matters is you commit to showing up no matter how you feel!
