3 Steps to being more consistent
Hey there Warriors! This week I’d like to talk about consistency and how being inconsistent with your nutrition and fitness habits could be the thing that’s holding you back from being your most vibrant and powerful self.
Now, hold up – you’re not already beating yourself up about how inconsistent you are, are you?? You can slap that down right now! (Insert thought of me slapping a cookie out of your hand – that’s how you slap those thoughts down!) We’re not here to add more shame or guilt to your life – this discussion is designed to give you power for your best life. (Here’s a picture of me so you can imagine me slapping that cookie out’chya hand)
“Consistency is the unsexy key to lifelong change. It’s a superpower that anyone can have.””
Before we take action, we have to look the ugly in the face. How are you inconsistently showing up for yourself? Is it “being good”(i.e. eating like a bird) from 6am – 2pm and dropping the ball (bingeing) from 2pm – 11pm? Or is it working out Monday, Tuesday and (maybe) Wednesday then being the “mom who’s too busy to workout” Thursday – Sunday. (Again, this is not about shame, but we have to be honest with ourselves first so we can work on a solution.) Is it not eating until dinner time some days and having no recollection of when or what you ate last? There are SO many ways that we can be inconsistent. We can be inconsistent with our thoughts about ourselves (one minute you’re pretty dang sexy and the next you’re too fluffy and nobody could ever love you) or in the type of exercise we’re doing and our fitness goals (one minute you’re on a HIIT kick trying to torch fat and the next you’re lifting weights because Jenny can hip thrust more than you).
Now hear me: The goal is not robotic perfection. Consistency is not about being cookie cutter perfect it’s about regular effort.
Let’s get to those steps so we can break these messed up cycles and get to the good stuff!
Step #1: Get Clear
One of the most common reasons that my clients and most people are not being consistent is that they’re not really clear on what they’re trying to achieve! If I asked you what your goal is, would you respond with one of the following: “I want to lose weight” “I want to get in shape” or “I want to feel better?” If that’s you, then your goal is not clear enough and you will be striving for it forever never achieving success. The solution? Get clear on what you’re trying to achieve. I usually recommend a goal that you can accomplish in the next 3 months and that you are willing to start today. Here’s some ideas: lose 10lbs, build 3lbs of muscle and lose 3lbs of fat (so weight stays the same but I’m more fit looking), run 1 mile at a 10 minute pace, increase energy so I don’t crave sweets and coffee every afternoon. Get Clear.
Step #2: Get Real
One problem you might be facing is that your concept of healthy is unrealistic. This is a BIG one. If you think that nibbling on carrot sticks and eating as little as possible is you being “good” or achieving a gold star in healthy, you are very mistaken. Our world today encourages us to eat less and if you’re hungry and you still deny yourself then your self-control is on-point and you’re on the right track. There’s a time and place for being in a caloric deficit, but treating your body that way habitually is called an eating disorder. I’ve been there and it’s not something to pat ourselves on the back about. Maybe you’re not taking it to that extreme but if you think that you have to workout for an hour or more every day and taking breaks means you’re going to go backwards, then you’re also on an unrealistic plan that is definitely going to end in failure. Be realistic with yourself about how much time you can devote to exercise and you’re much more likely to be consistent. What’s better - working out for 20 minutes 5-7 days a week consistently or working out for 2 hours once or twice and then getting too sore and too sick to continue? Use this worksheet to figure out your calorie and macronutrient needs and eat. the. food. It’s time to get Real.
Step #3: Get Ready
As a mom with a crazy schedule, I loathe the idea of meal prepping. No, I have never been successful with dedicating hours and hours every weekend to prep for the week. But, I do put in a little forethought so that I can stay on track and keep showing up for myself. Being prepared, even in a loose way can be a game-changer in your consistency. With nutrition prep that starts at the store or when you make your list. Get familiar with the products in your market that are going to help you be consistent and make those items a priority. Maybe it’s pre-cooked chicken, or microwave veggies - don’t be ashamed to use the convenience if it means that you and your family are going to be healthier. So, I make sure there are plenty of foods available at home that meet my nutrition needs. Then, I loosely map out my workouts for the week. Use a calendar that has all your other appointments and responsibilities on it so you are sure there’s no conflict and plug those workouts in. Join a fitness program. Get an accountability partner. Book and appointment with a trainer. MAKE a way. Get Ready.
With those 3 steps, you are going to take back your power and start crushing goals!
These steps and more are part of my 28 Day Mindset Reset. Are you interested in getting more coaching in this area and reviving your confidence in your ability to take care of your body and mind? Click here to learn more and get a preview of the course.
Get your minds right! And be a powerful force for good in this world!
Much love,
Tamara
