The Carson Workshops business presentation to the left rings true not only in business, but throughout multiple aspects of life. In order to have success over long periods of time, you must maintain consistency and structure in your actions. Allowing for slight variations in your plan, deviating from your plan and making rash decisions for change will ultimately result in a deterioration of results. The same is true for your success in the gym. Changing workout plans, deviating from your diet and other negative variations will ultimately chip away at the end result. It was once said; "Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes." Essentially, it is extremely difficult to stick to a plan over a long period of time, however, those who do will achieve the greatest results.
Nearly everyone has a plan or a vision for themselves. "I want to lose 20lbs by summer," "I am going to stick to this diet for 12 weeks and see where it takes me." or "I'm going to do 30 minutes of cardio every morning before work." These are all excellent plans. However, how many times have you heard someone say something very similar to these only to talk to them three weeks later and they have an excuse as to why they stopped or perhaps have completely changed their goal and focus. It's great to be focused and have a plan, but if you don't follow through with your goal and stay consistent with what needs to be done to attain your goal, then you might as well not have one at all.
So what can be done to assist you in following through on your goals and staying consistent with your diet and training? Here are some pointers that should help:
1) Put thought into your plan - Establish a goal and a plan that is both realistic and attainable. Focus on the day to day aspects of what will be required to get to where you want to be. Is this something you will be able to follow? How much will you have to deviate from your daily routine to make room for this new routine?
2) Write your plans down and track progress - This keeps your goal and strategy on the forefront of your mind. Also, if it is written, it will be harder to change courses and convince yourself that you are staying consistent with your goals. Keeping a written log of what has been done will establish a pattern and make it much easier to follow.
3) Allow for suitable substitutions - If your routine has in it something like, "eat 6.3 ounces of grilled white chicken breast every day at 5:34 p.m.". There will come a time that this won't be able to happen and you will throw off your plan. Instead, make a small concession and say, "eat the grilled chicken breast, tuna, or whey protein shake between 5:00 and 5:30." These are acceptable alternatives and make your plan easier to follow.
4) Get in the routine - Start doing other things at the same times of the day. Shower at the same time, wash your car Saturday morning, watch TV or read for the same hours every day etc. These habits will be conducive to consistency throughout your day and make it easier on you.
Achieving your fitness goals can often take months or years. Even if you stay 100% motivated at all times, if you fail to stay on a consistent plan and are often jumping on and off the latest and greatest diet or workouts, then you may be shorting yourself the end result.
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