It’s funny, when I start to see certain patterns in my life, I’m never sure if they were always there and I just started to notice, or if they start popping up just in time to notice. Either way, one theme that just keeps coming up again and again and again in almost every aspect of my life is: consistency.
Consistency: the steadfast adherence to the same principles, course, form, etc.
Such a simple concept. Not the sexiest. Not the most earth shattering. And there lies its magic. In its simplicity lies its complexity.
Success in so many disciplines isn’t just talent or “luck” or even hard work alone. All of these things are still huge factors, but consistency is what makes any success stick.
Breakfast
Overnight vanilla protein oats with purely elizabeth granola
I’ve been doing the “Sweat with Kayla” guides for 9 weeks. Not every workout I do is great, in fact the majority I feel like my ass just got handed to me, but recently I’ve started feeling a little stronger, and noticing a little more definition. This isn’t because I’m the most intense fitness buff. This isn’t a result of any extreme. Instead, it’s really just focusing on making this lifestyle a habit and infusing joy into each day because that’s the key.
It’s not hustling for a month, a week, a year to see X result and be done. It’s loving each step and showing up whether you’re crushing it or you’re literally falling over doing a burpee (that was me yesterday, my legs actually kind of crumpled under me and I rolled over for a bit before getting back up).
Lunch
Leftover veggies with tofu, cilantro pesto and cilantro pesto
Snack(s)
Perfect Bar
Kombucha with tuna salad on toast
Consistency transcends pretty much any discipline. Outside of my health and well being, this blog is probably the other biggest example of where consistency has paid off. No one blog post has made or broken the success, just like no one meal or workout will make or break your health. Instead it’s showing up to move things forward every single day. This consistency builds trust which is the most valuable thing to me.
However the hardest part of consistency is battling the tug between knowing that no one action will make or break you, but understanding that nothing is build without those actions repeated over time. No one thing matters but everything together does.
I write this, hopefully, as a thought starter for you. And as a reminder to myself of how much I believe in the power of consistency, even though it’s still so hard to practice.
Dinner
Butternut squash, edamame, brussels sprouts, rice, cilantro pesto and sweet potato
Your Turn:
What’s an area of your life where you’ve seen the benefit of consistency?
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It would certainly have to be in regards to eating healthy and incorporating CrossFit into my everyday life. It has become so normal to me, that when I get comments about either, I forget that it took time for all of it to get where it is today. So many of the healthy changes we make in our lives don’t happen overnight – that just wouldn’t make sense. When we are in a place of wanting to change, that is where we end up putting our focus to make it become our ‘everyday’.
Couldn’t agree more – it’s all about making our “everyday life” as enjoyable and growth filled as possible so overtime the results feel organic and evolving
For me, my consistency has been in my new fitness routine. It’s so much more enjoyable than what I used to do and it’s a stress-reliever too. I’ve noticed an improvement in my overall mind, body, and spirit since starting in November and I love it!
That’s so exciting! It can take so long sometimes to feel the effects which is why consistency over perfection is really the only way to stick with something
I think fitness and my blog are the two areas for me, too! Even though I go through slumps (in both areas) sticking with it when things get tough has been beneficial. Of course, a small break sometimes helps too- but not long enough to break progress.
Absolutely – little breaks can be awesome and refreshing but keeping the habit is clutch
I’ve been thinking about trying the BBG workouts but I tried one and thought I was going to die, haha. Still, it certainly seemed effective!
I totally agree with you on the importance of consistency in fitness, eating, blogging, etc. That truly is the key and the hardest part!
Yeah I honestly can’t belive I’ve been doing it this long but I always just tell myself “It’s just 30 minutes” and I’m able to make it through
I truly believe that consistency is key too! I think too often we forget that one day of bad eating or one day of not working out is going to harm us but if we remain consistent to our healthy practices, those little off days won’t matter!
Absolutely – knowing that one thing won’t break you but without it you won’t move forward helps make the little things feel important in a good way
my running is definitely an area where consistency is key. if I stop running for a while and go out again, it’s misery. once I’m in the habit of going out a few times a week, it gets enjoyable (or at least I don’t dread it!). I would have to say though that pretty much every area of my life is better when I’m consistent- whether it be writing, playing an instrument, cleaning, cooking, etc. consistency is key 😉
Totally – while it’s great to take little breaks, it’s the “one run won’t count” over and over that will slow ya down eventually
Consistency has certainly paid off in my running and just like you said, not one run will make or break success, it is showing up day after day consistently. Consistency has also paid off with my degree. It hasn’t always been enjoyable to study every day, but being consistent and mindful about it has certainly paid off thus far.
Totally – making things habits vs. a struggle/decision just takes the added stress out of the whole shebang
Great job sticking with doing the Sweat With Kayla APP for 9 weeks already!!! For me consistency really helps with the marathon training I’m doing and as a beginner blogger! I told myself I’d consistently do 4 posts and week and have actually stuck to it and think it’s really helped grow my audience 🙂 Consistency is key!
Absolutely – I think about the content I consume and so often it’s after weeks of consuming it I form a bond/fondness so the consistency is the most important variable there
Oh yum, your meals look so good as always! That dinner bowl with sweet potato and butternut squash…mmm!
I think the biggest area in my life that I’ve benefitted from consistency is my running. Since I’ve run 6x per week for the past 6 years or so, I’m so much stronger and have so much more endurance than I would’ve if I’d been flaky with it. It’s definitely a good feeling to be disciplined in an area like that (still working on discipline in basically every other area- ha!)
Oh absolutely – obviously no one can be consistent with everything so even if it’s taking a couple very important aspects of your life and using them as a model to remember how powerful consistency is, that’s huge
I love your message about consistency. I think it takes a lot of the pressure off of trying to be “perfect” with food, fitness, health, etc. all the time. I like to think of the overall goal and idea of healthy living, not each individual event. When you just keep plugging away at it, eventually you wake up and realize that you are in fact living a healthy life and feeling great. Great post! Also, the lunch looks delish : )
100% – the idea of doing the “perfect” thing every time will set you up to fail and get discouraged and quit, but if you have the goal of just never quitting and always going for “better” then eventually you can make huge strides over time.
Consistency for me has been in running, food, and my blog. When I started running, I made a goal of getting out there 3 days per week no matter what, because my prior attempts had all failed due to a lack of consistency. Once I started to “just do it” I fell in love with running! With my blog, I knew posting 3-4 days per week was key after my initial few weeks of fewer, and then a few months early on of nearly every day. I needed a good balance and I found it. The same thing with food after recovering, slowly over time, from years of disordered patterns.
So many good examples. It’s all about just embracing the habit and remembering that it will feel more natural and less forced over time.
in terms of fitness, i have been trying to be consistent and i hope it will pay off soon..and that dinner bowl – holy yum!
The small tweaks are so important but also take a long time to “notice” the change. It’s having the faith that it will pay off. Sometimes just moving in the right direction can feel like a reward in itself
Consistency is always hard for me! I am one of that “all or nothing” people: I can`t work hard, if I don`t see results. But when I start blogging two years ago I start change my mind slowly 😉
I feel ya – I’m slowly learning that it’s ok if I slip up and trying to embrace the “grey” that is so much of life/success
Oh girl I feel ya on getting your butt kicked during Kayla.. I feel like that after every workout right now haha. But it’s so rewarding getting through and getting stronger each day.
Saaame. I’m looking forward to doing BBG 1 again and hopefully being able to do things unmodified but right now pushups are still so damn hard.
Butternut Squash & Brussels Sprouts is a match made in HEAVEN!
Heck yeah!
I’ve seen consistency be really beneficial in my blogging and also in my prayers. In both cases, being present every day builds real relationships.
So true! It’s amazing how consistency can positively effect so much of our lives
Your lunch looks amazing! I definitely benefit in consistency with my running and healthy eating habits! You have to make those habits attainable and sustainable and then consistency will definitely get you great results.
Absolutely – I think of times I’ve failed and it’s because I bit off way more than I could chew for the long haul and couldn’t keep up so I quit
Oh yum, your meals look delicious 🙂 I’ve been thinking along these lines although the word consistency had occurred to me till I read this! I’ve been gradually forming habits, morning stretches, going to the gym regularly, getting my 5 a day etc and it takes time to get the habits going but feels such an acheivement but yeah, it never stops! Just keeping on with it and always thinking of new stuff
Absolutely and having patience when it doesn’t go perfectly but keep on keeping on anyway!
Consistency is key!! Way to go girl! And like they say, any workout is better than no workout! You’re doing great!! And I think consistency can definitely apply to all aspects of our lives! Also, your eats look amazing! YUM! Thanks for sharing girl!!
xoxo Cailee!
Thank you so much Cailee – I’m a big believer in consistency – just working on being a big practicer 😉