Consistency Is Key, What Is The Key To Consistency?

When it comes to exercise and diet consistency is the biggest indicator of an individuals success. A bad work out done consistently is far superior than a good workout done inconsistently. My reasoning for this is because all the programming in the world can be done to provide an individual with the perfect workout and nutrition plans, but unless the person follows these workouts and nutrition schedule consistently it may as well be pointless. If your supposed to be consuming 2000 calories a day to lose weight and you do this for 4 out of 7 days but then on the other 3 days you eat an extra 500 calories, you are unlikely to see the progress you should because over the course of the 7 days you've actually eaten the deficit you established on the 4 days that you adhered to the plan. So all the effort that you put in has been undone by not being consistent.

So what is the key to consistency? This initially comes down to temporary discipline and the ability to build habits, however this is not all bad news. Studies have shown on average it takes approximately 8 weeks to build a habit and to integrate it into your life, this means if you can be disciplined for roughly 2 months then these habits that you create will no longer be a conscious effort and will just become part of the daily routine. Now, the habits that work for consistency are specific to you as to which ones work, I've put together a small list to start you off.

Prepare meals ahead of time, this helps when you have hunger pangs as it is ready and available to eat at a moments notice and stops you grabbing for the sweets or chocolate.

Training at a set time, by doing this your workout becomes part of the routine and there is no argument as to if you should or shouldn't exercise or if you have time today. The most consistent people I see in the gym are the morning crew. they are there every morning without fail as it is part of their morning routine.

Recording your workouts, by consciously recording what you do in each workout, set by set, mile by mile, it makes you aware of what you are doing and where you can increase volume, intensity, time under tension, rep tempo and all the other factors that contribute towards progressive overload. This way you know how you have progressed and where you can push yourself. This is a great habit to have for many reasons including the fact you can see how far you've come which is yet another way to motivate yourself to maintain consistency.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to get in contact at jacobpttelford@gmail.com. stay safe and stay fit.