How would you fill in this blank?

I always want more results from my _____________. I wish I was more consistent.

You could finish that sentence for a lot of different accomplishments: parenting, studying, overtime, workouts, clean eating, savings account, yoga...you name it. And the follow up is...CONSISTENCY. Bar none, a lack of consistency is the biggest goal killer when it comes to improvement. It's also the hardest habit to develop and maintain. Why? Because we aren't machines. Life is sticky and unpredictable and inconsistent! Change is always coming or going.

Every day brings a fresh poke at our personalities and plans. These changes add variety to our lives, keep us on our toes paying attention, give us something to look forward to and remind us that life is to be lived, not checked off a list. If your personality leans toward a freer spirit, you probably enjoy all the variety, but you also may have some room to improve with your habits! If you're a buttoned-down type, the consistency of your routine keeps you comfortable and feeling safe, but the variety of life may push your buttons. Both personalities have space to grow in order to win at this game we play called a fit life.

One of the many reasons I loved having a career in fitness, at the beginning, was because I needed a bigger reason to move than just because it was important; now it was my job! For me, if someone else was counting on me to be in class or make an appointment, there was no struggle to go. But if my schedule was left up to me, I'd come up with all kinds of reasons that I needed to do other things than exercise or meal plan. What I learned early on was that over time, it became easier to go alone after I had gone with people long enough. After I had created a habit of early morning exercise, it was as if my body wanted to do it on it's own; I wasn't dragging myself out of bed or forcing myself to go to sleep early. My body got into a rhythm, a routine, a schedule, a habit, that became second nature. 

However, even now, after almost 30 years of teaching fitness, I still have days I can explain away why I didn't move or ate junk. I'm not any different that you may be when it comes to convincing myself that I don’t have the time to take care of myself. But here's the bottom line that always surfaces: any resistance I have toward self care is a direct result of an imbalance of either over/under doing exercise or over/under eating. And here's how to fix it...move a little. Maybe that means stretching your hamstrings and calves, or walking your staircase for 15 minutes, or doing pushups and planks; it really doesn't matter when you're having the mental tug-of-war with consistency; a little goes a long way. 

any resistance I have toward taking care of myself is a direct result of an imbalance between fitness and food

Here's why: Consistency is ONLY built in small steps, a little at a time. Being a weekend warrior will not improve your fitness, but walking for 20 minutes every day will. Fasting for 3 days won't help you lose body fat, but sitting down to eat slowly for 20 minutes every time, will. Napping all afternoon on Sunday won't restore rest, but going to bed 20 minutes earlier every night without your phone, will. All these seemingly tiny actions are actually the game changers. If you ONLY do these three things for the rest of your life, you will not only live longer without disease, you will lose weight, feel calmer, move easier, think clearer, rest better, eat better, and probably be a little nicer. 

If you really want more out of your life, take a deep look at what you do consistently. There you will find the answers to why you have the results you do. And when you're ready to make a change, do it in small strides, but do it everyday. It may take longer than the fabled 21 days to create a habit, but if you stay with it, you will change and consistency will be your new normal.