The Key

It’s time for some real talk. If you are reading this blog, chances are you’ve read articles discussing diet and exercise. I’m sure by now you were told there is no quick fix, no true one size fits all type of diet or exercise routine.

Not all of that is 100% true. One thing works for everyone, regardless of your shape, size, medical background, or your family history. 

That One Thing is Consistency

We can talk about determination, we can talk about motivation, we can even talk about drive and focus. None of those would have resulted if it weren’t for consistency. Let me tell you what I mean when I use the word.

Consistency isn’t about doing the same thing every day or eating the same things all the time. Consistency isn’t about working out every day or doing the same routines week in and week out. 

Consistency is just that; being consistent with your goals and your dreams and understanding precisely what it is that you’re doing it for. 

Consistency is Working Out Even if You Don’t Feel Like it and Know it Will Be a Crappy Workout. 

Consistency is about starting over that low-carb or sugarless diet that works so well for you, even though you spent the weekend eating cupcakes and drinking milkshakes. 

Consistency is about forgiving yourself every day for being a simple human being and reminding yourself why your diet and exercise are so important to you. 

I’m Not Saying Everyone Needs to Be On a Diet

If I’m being honest with you, I don’t believe in diets at all. I believe in eating a certain way. I’ve seen the results.

I don’t expect everyone to hit the weights or to attend pilates class just because so many people around you do. I think the science behind getting your body moving on a regular basis is pretty damn accurate and necessary. 

So why do I believe consistency is so much more important than motivation or determination? Motivation is fleeting, and it’s typically reliant on an outside source like media or a friend to keep alive. Perseverance doesn’t lay out a path for you; it means you are set to achieve a goal. 

To achieve that goal, you have to be consistent with what you need to do. Therefore, I believe that without consistent behaviors, your way of eating, or your way of working out, you will never garner the results you desire. 

Learn Your Body

Some people choose the medical system, like having special blood work drawn to tell you what food you should or shouldn’t eat. Some people do this by trial and error; they start to keep track of what works and what doesn’t.

However you choose to do it, nothing you do will work if it’s not the right combination. For me, I have found that by removing carbohydrates and sugar from the way I’m eating, I not only have the benefits of being able to maintain my weight but the added benefit of a clear head and the absence of brain fog. 

My body functions better on a low-carb diet similar to a keto-based diet. This is a perfect example of why consistency is so important. If I change my way of eating and I overindulge in carbs and sugar, I will find my weight drifting upwards.

When It Comes to Exercise

I wish I could say that I was a runner. I envy those who are runners. I’ve always wanted to experience that runner’s high, but I regret to say I haven’t had that pleasure. Instead, what I have found that works for me is a mixture of different exercises and activities. 

My week consists of yoga, boxing, calisthenics, walking, and weight lifting. Every week is different, but my goal is always the same; I want to have at least 30 minutes to an hour every day where I am actively working out in some fashion.

I am most certainly not a fitness guru, nor am I an Instagram model; however, anyone that knows me for any length of time will tell you that I am consistent. I started my fitness journey in 2007, and since then, I have refused to stop. I have had days or weeks where I have fallen inconsistent in my daily regimen, but I am never too far away from getting myself right back on track.

The one thing that I know is that I can handle it, and so can you.

Last modified: June 1, 2022