The Value of Consistency
It’s a new year which means, for many of us, a fresh start. We all go into the year with big goals. It may be a resolution to get healthy, a goal to complete a big race or new distance, or something completely outside of fitness.
No matter what your goals are, your success will largely be determined by one factor … how consistent you are in working towards it.
A 2019 study done by Strava and published in Runners World found that most people had given up on their New Year’s fitness goals by January 19th. Overall, surveys have found that regardless of the goal, by February approximately 36% of those surveyed had already given up on their resolution.
While it may be somewhat of a myth that it only takes 21 days to build a habit, there is value in the thought. That value lies in the foundation that you are creating, a consistent routine or mindset … “this is who I am now” or “this is what I am doing today”.
So how can we increase the likelihood that we stick with it this year?
Find a workout buddy or buddies. Having someone to hold you accountable, and lets be honest, share the pain with can help keep you motivated and consistent!
Track your workouts. There are plenty of apps that allow you to do this or you can simply use pen and paper, whatever you need to do to help see the progress!
Plan out your workout time. The number one excuse we hear is “I don’t have enough time” … the reality is that it usually isn’t true, planning ahead helps you find the time.
Get a coach. Yeah, of course we have to do the plug but the reality is that you aren’t just getting someone to plan your workouts. You are getting another person to hold you accountable as well as another person to help you reach your goals!
None of these will eliminate the hard days, those are inevitable whether you are a seasoned athlete or fresh off the couch. The goal, especially in the dark cold winter months, is to lay the foundation for the rest of the year and that begins with being consistent now.
