Hey there. Staying consistent with eating and exercise can feel like a never-ending battle, especially if you've spent years trying different diets and fitness routines without lasting success. But what if the problem isn't you, but the way these plans have been structured?
The first step to long-term consistency is building a foundation based on your own preferences. This means taking time “two months is a great place to start” to figure out what actually works for you. Once you've established that foundation, you can start incorporating new habits in a way that fits into your life, rather than forcing yourself into a rigid plan.
One of my favorite resources on habit formation is Atomic Habits by James Clear. I listen to it once or twice a year, and each time, I pick up something new that helps me refine my approach. One of the biggest takeaways is the idea of habit stacking, where you build new habits onto existing ones to create a seamless routine. However, a common mistake is trying to do too much at once. Many people in the fitness space believe that if a little is good, more is better but that often leads to burnout.
Instead, start with one habit at a time. Choose a small, manageable change related to eating or exercise, and test it out. Pay attention to how it fits into your routine and how you feel about it. If it works, keep going. If it doesn’t, adjust or move on to something else.
The key is intuition. Over time, you’ll develop a sense of what works best for you, and you won’t have to rely on sheer willpower or discipline to stick with your habits. And when you hit a rough patch? You can always return to your foundation and rebuild from there.
Remember, consistency isn’t about perfection, it’s about creating a lifestyle that you can maintain long-term. If you’re looking for a great tool to help you along the way, I highly recommend checking out Atomic Habits. It just might change the way you approach fitness and nutrition for good.
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