How do YOU stay consistent

dewgirl321

I find that it helps to have a program, like one of the 12 week programs on bodybuilding.com. The schedule is lined out, and you have to go to the gym at least the amount of days for the program. Take the option out and it's easier to stick with.

leketchup

If you are one healthy adult, great nutrition plan and intense workouts will bring you results! It will motivate you. For example I am my own motivation, need no bs.

auroranflash

I sit at a desk all day, I feel like I already start the day in the negatives as far as activity goes. That thirty minutes of commitment really just puts me on even ground. Just commit to thirty minutes a day, three times a week, and do it for [set amount of time]. After [set amount of time], increase the number of days a week or increase the time per session - no matter what it is you're doing.

You need to build a habit. You're not always going to feel like working out, but I don't always feel like going to work, either - it's a commitment and I know my lifestyle will be seriously impacted if I just flake out.

ejwme

If I had to go to the gym to workout, I'd be obese and on my couch. I hate gyms. Sometimes, if you've picked the wrong thing, it doesn't matter what you try it just won't work for you. Personally, I run. Can't get enough of running, but I can't keep a "regular schedule" for it either.

Instead, I set goals, and work towards them. Currently, I'm signed up for a marathon. Worried I'd flake out on training, I joined a training group. Now I have a coach who watches my progress (or lack thereof) every week, and will call me out if I'm not hitting my paces consistently. I've also got my first triathlon at the end of the summer - if I don't want to drown, I best get my butt to a pool a couple times a week (I fully admit I'm using the tri to more effectively cross train for my distance running).

For strength training, I'm doing the twohundredsquats.com thing, and the companion pushup thing. I hate strength training, but I need it for better/healthier running. Once I reach those goals, I'll set new ones, and push towards those.

If I didn't keep looking forward to the next race, the next event, the next pace goal, I'd totally flag and flounder. I know, because I've done it many times before. This is the only thing that's kept me at it for an extended period of time. If I simply said to myself "I'm going to run 5 miles a day, 6 days a week, for the rest of my life" it would last about a week - and I love running.

fatfrost

I'm religious around the weekends with a goal of 1K burn each of Saturday and Sunday. I then strive to get 1 other day during the week. If you are doing three days a week, you are doing well.

ktrn0312

It is a mindset for me. I like the changes that I see and have experienced therefore, I just do it!

cwolfman13

You need to find something you enjoy!!! Exercise doesn't it have to be a task.... It almost becomes an addiction when you love

^^^^This. Hitting the gym isn't for everyone...droning away on cardio machines isn't for everyone (I hate it and only do it when weather forces me to)...DVDs aren't for everyone...spin classes and zumba aren't for everyone...Just find something you love to do and go do it; it shouldn't be a chore.

I have friends who get their exercise and I've never seen them set foot in a gym...lift a single weight...step onto a cardio machine...hit a spin class, etc. They just get out and do the things they love...they ride their bikes around...they ski...they hike mountain trails, etc. I do a lot of that too, but I have different fitness goals the necessitate lifting weights and more intense HIIT...but it's really about doing what you love and training to do things that you love.

I always thought training for the sake of training was boring...train for something...don't just train to lose weight (not necessary...you can lose weight with a caloric deficit in your diet)...train/exercise with a fitness purpose.

MMH86

Reward myself for "staying at it" works for me & drinking zeal keeps me energized :-)

estrobabe

It's definitely the mindset. It might take time but once you really realize that you are making a great difference by helping your body one day at a time, that consistency will happen. Take small steps and build up. I also look at positive reinforcers! I reward myself often. It keeps me going.

Rhonnie

A couple things:

Sports - usually is a set game time and you have to show up or it hurts the team.

Work out buddy - you'll push each other to go. It can be daunting, but if you have someone you are scheduled to walk with or work out with 5 days a week, even if you both have one 'pass' allowed per week you'll get at least 3 days in (and 4 if you still go without your buddy!).

Accountability - Post it on here that you are going to work out this evening, and tell people to ask you how it went. I did that last night, and if I hadn't there is no way I would have done JM30DS.

Accountability #2 - if you have kids or a friend or relative that you can be accountable to, and not just verbally but actually put your "money where your mouth is" and make some kind of payment due to them if you don't do your work outs - maybe its you'll do your kids chores for the day, or you'll walk your friends dog, or whatever - something that makes you 'pay up' if you dont' work out.

Bribery - "if I work out 5 days this week I can buy a new pair of running shoes". Or have a 'work out jar' and when ever you work out put $2 in it (or how ever much) and have something you want to buy or treat yourself with as a goal - maybe a massage.

ladyace2078

1. Go for 10 minutes. If after 10 minutes I want to leave I can guilt free. I've never left after 10 minutes, because I did all the work of going and I'm feeling good after 10 minutes.

2. Schedule my workouts. I go every M/W/F from 7-8:30. If I skip I don't really have a way to make up the workout because I have my time already accounted for. This also allows me to set aside time for exercise and making it a priority (and signal to my family/friends that I have a commitment to myself at that time).

3. Find balance in my life otherwise. I know I go 2-3x per week, but I do fun/interesting things on the other days so that I don't feel like I need to skip my workouts. Basically I start to schedule other parts of my life in the way I schedule my workouts.

4. Choose fun exercise that I enjoy and look forward to. Volleyball, ballet, zombies run! app, completing a specific lifting program (NROLFA/W, Butt Bible, P90x, etc.)

5. Change up my routine every 6-10 weeks. I thrive on the setting a goal & achieving it, so having a change at most every 10 weeks helps me have an 'end' to my workouts. I think most people are conditioned this way because of school - end of a class/quarter/semester/grade/project.

LorinaLynn

I'm consistent because I don't see it as optional. I know I HAVE to exercise a certain amount to be able to eat the way I want to eat. It's on my mental "to-do" list with grocery shopping, paying bills, dishes and laundry.

At first, joining a gym was a big incentive. I couldn't stand the thought of paying for something and NOT using it. Now, having a home gym is a bigger incentive, because I don't have the "I don't have time to GO to the gym" excuse. And I refuse to let my weight bench turn into a clothes rack.

I do best when I have a fitness goal... some plan or program that I'm working through. At first, it was just being able to run a 5k, then 5 miles, then a 10k, then win a medal. And early on, I was following a program with EA Sports Active 2 on the PS3 that was 4x a week. Later, I switched to heavy lifting, and started following Stronglifts. I'm currently still lifting, but my bigger focus is on running at the moment, and I'm doing the Zombies Run 5k training app. Yeah, I can already run the distance, but this is my first winter running in the cold (broken ankle last year) and it's nice to follow a structured program, especially one with a zombie storyline. :laugh:

george29223

i dunno lay off cheese and eat fiber??

xilka

For me, it's the love of food (and beer).

I love food SO much, I'm willing to workout every day for it.
If I don't get my morning workout, I know that that's however many fewer calories I can eat that day,
and I want to EAT!!!! (and drink my beer) :drinker:

lilRicki

i dunno lay off cheese and eat fiber??

Haha! Thanx man


These are all really good suggestions. Thanx everyone

Crystaleyed

To be honest falling off the wagon is aright from time to time as long as you get back on as soon as possible.
I have fallen off so many times and now I'm seeing a loss again it's amazing.
I think it depends on what works, if you know that you can always talk yourself into it then brilliant do that.
For me it doesn't work so I just end up listing the positive and negative points of not doing what I'm meant to do and that works for me but it won't work for everyone.
You just have to try and find out

ravenchick

Make yourself a priority! Log all of your food in advance and just stick to what you've logged. It's been working for me for almost a year now.

MorbidMander

You just need to make it into a habit. Supposedly if you do something for 30 days it becomes one. So, just do it. Every time I don't want to I just think to myself, Do you not care about yourself enough to get up and workout your @ss for a whole 20 minutes? You have sat your @ss on the couch for years, get up. Sometimes it's good to have some tough love for yourself.

PetulantOne

Have you tried switching up your routine? I was miserable at first, then I finally found a combination that works for me. I went from making up excuses in my head all day long about how to get out of exercising, to getting mad when I have to miss a workout.

maulop

Try not to think that you HAVE TO go to the gym, just go, when you're there start your routine without hesitation. After a month you'll need the exercise. So motivation won't be a problem. If you want that to happen quicker, try going everyday at least 30 min.

I forced myself to go everyday on the first month and now i don't feel to be obligated to go. I just want to go.

If you need motivation for consistency, here's some benefits from working out:

Social benefits:

1- you'll look better when someone takes a picture. (very important when looking at the pictures of the last party and thinking "ugh!").
2- people start hitting on you more often and wants to be around you a lot. (maybe a drawback lol)
3- everyone notice you're losing weight or gaining muscle and they want to know how you did it.
4- your partner in life brags about you and how you look.
5- you'll get a more positive attitude towards goals, since you overcome your own obstacles.

Physical and emotional

1- you'll get stronger and have more energy every day.
2- running or climbing a tree is not a problem.
3- you're more happy since the excercise release endorphines that makes you feel relaxed and happy.
4- your elasticity improves in time, since you'll have to stretch after every workout.
5- More muscle instead of fat means that you'll feel warmer in winter without too much clothes on. (by getting a higher metabolism).
6- You won't get sick easily. (and will recover faster from illness).
7- After a few months, workouts become easier and you'll need something more challenging.
8- Clothes looks better, and you get more variety to try on (also provoke envy on others).
9- your sleep improves. (no idea why).

Food

1- You'll get to eat a lot more since you will need more energy to mantain your ideal weight.
2- You learn to love water (and is cheaper and better than sodas)
3- you can eat whatever you want without feeling guilty. (long term goal)
4- over time you'll learn to eat properly and start wanting food with more quality than quantity.

lives21

My new mantra is that "I don't get to give up, not this time". I don't want to give up, I want to get healthy and happy and look and feel great. This is the first time I've ever been so committed to losing weight. That being said, I have had days where I didn't want to go to the gym. Today was one of them. In the end I hauled *kitten* to my gym at 10pm an hour before it closed. I decided I wasn't going to quit. I went and got a good 45 minute workout done and felt so good. After four and a half weeks, my body is raring to go and skipping the gym just makes me feel so blah. Sometimes we just have to get out of our own ways to be successful.

kcoftx

I read these two quotes early on and they've stayed with me every since:

“There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstances permit. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.” ~Unknown

“Most people fail, not because of lack of desire, but, because of lack of commitment.” ~Vince Lombardi

Basically I had to start telling myself what I WILL do and then just don't accept anything less. In the beginning that meant a lot of self talk and basically not going to bed until I finished what I promised. After doing a bunch of exercise at 11pm (not a night owl), I started wising up and learning how to plan it better. My goals change as I go along, but whatever they are at that moment, I make them concrete and tell myself ahead of time what I will be doing. They are not based on whim or how I am feeling that day (unless I am truly sick).

(Example: In the beginning, I exercised 5 days a week. It didn't really matter what the activity itself was. The idea was to learn to exercise consistently. I made it 5 days a week so I would stop the "not today" mentality but allow for recovery days. Then I added the 30 Day Shred to 3 of my days to learn how to be consistent with one activity. Later I started a strength training program. I switched to 3 days a week with a specific purpose. Summer came and my goal was to move as much as I could during vacation and plan it around activities. Then it was back to strength training for the next several months. Now I am in transition plan while I am moving and dealing with legal stuff and thus I am depending on the basics of exercising 3x a week (regardless of activity). I am also looking into adding a body weight program when I recover from pneumonia. When I have a clear access to a gym again, I will be back to heavy lifting strength training. The goals change but whatever it is during that time, I do not get wishy washy with it. I make it clear what my plan is and I meet it because I say I will).

The question you need to ask yourself is if you are really ready to change. Here's another good quote for thought:

“It’s not that some people have willpower and some don’t. It’s that some people are ready to change and others are not.” ~James Gordon

The last bit I want to leave you with is this: “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” ~Jim Rohn

You will not be motivated everyday. Commitment is the true key behind success.