Consistency is the Key To Success

You don't have to be an expert to figure out that consistency is pretty essential to successfully change your life, your health, and your weight. but it's also pretty clear that building a consistent routine of regular exercise and healthy eating is not an easy thing to do.

You start off the day with the best intentions to exercise, track all your food, and make healthy choices. But then life happens. One of the kids is sick, the baby sitter is late, the boss asks you to work overtime, or any one of a hundred other surprises that can really wreck your day. Before you know it, your plan is in trouble and your intention for "sticking to it" went out the window. By the end of the day, you have no energy left for exercise, and the task of preparing a healthy meal feels like a big chore, when what you really want is to crash on the couch.

So how do you change this pattern?

Rule #1: Never tell yourself "I'm not motivated."
That's not the real problem, unless you really don't want to live a healthy lifestyle. As long as you do want these things, you have all the motivation you need.

Rule #2: Build momentum one step at a time.
The hardest part is always getting started. But once you're moving, staying in motion and picking up speed becomes a lot easier.

Rule #3: Always have a plan B.
Plan B is an alternative way to stay consistent with your goals when your regular routine (or something else) doesn't work out as planned. Obviously, you can't foresee every single problem that might come up. But most of the time, the things that get in your way are things that happen fairly often- like kids getting sick, extra hours at work, or days when you just don't feel very energetic. Those surprises won't throw you off track if you plan ahead.

Stock your freezer with some healthy meals when you're short on time; stash your exercise clothes at the office for a quick getaway to the gym.

Plan (in advance) what you can do to handle these problems without sacrificing your diet and exercise routine. then all you'll have to do is put your plan B into action.

Following these three simple rules will help you overcome some obstacles.

Also, it's not the end of the world. Think positive and pick up from where you left off tomorrow. There you have it.

To your awesome health!

Joyce Hearn