How many times did you begin something and ended up not finishing it? You start out so motivated, but at some point along the way you got discouraged, worn out, and just gave up. Maybe something else took priority. Either way, you came to the decision that you just want to figure out how to friggin finish what you start. I know this feeling allllll too well. 

About a year and a half ago, I was determined to figure out why the heck I couldn’t stick to one thing long enough. Here’s the thing, you have to make sure what you are wanting to work towards is lined up with what’s going to better you. Is what you set out to achieve something that drives passion and joy? If it doesn’t, chances are, you probably shouldn’t be working towards it. 

So you’ve written down some goals. Maybe it’s working out daily, or eating healthier, keeping things clean and organized, etc. When setting certain goals you have to be specific and come up with a plan on how to start. If you’re too broad, you can’t picture a way to even try to stay consistent. If you want to work out, set the amount of days you want to shoot for every week. Set the amount of time you want to stick to on the day you do it then come up with a workout. Create the workout movements before you go in so you don’t waste time. If you want to eat healthier, only buy the foods that help you do so and set your meals for each day. One of the most important things for maintaining consistency is to be intentional about setting a plan before you start. That way, when it gets tough, when you’re exhausted in the moment, when you’re other responsibilities get you busy, you don’t have to think too much in the moment when it comes to sticking to your goal. The less thinking, the better.

Which brings me to my next point. DON’T GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO THINK. This is what I mean… 

Don’t allow yourself too much time in the moment. You have to just create movement and action. You have to get up and show up. That’s what you do in the place of thinking. If you get caught up in your thoughts, you get caught up in your emotions. You will always come up with some excuse to talk yourself out of it. If you’re waiting on motivation, IT AIN’T NEVER GONNA HAPPEN. Motivation is based off of emotion and how you’re feeling in the moment. It’s not what’s going to get you out of your comfort zone. The only way to grow and get better is to get out of your comfort zone. 

The thing that gets me out of bed every morning at 4:15am to go to the gym…

I don’t give any time to talk myself out of it. I do it for the way I’m going to feel later and not how I’m currently feeling. Motivation is not going to be there when it gets tough. It’s been a year and a half of going to the gym 5-6 days a week and it is still a daily struggle for me. If I went by how I felt every morning when the alarm clock rings, I would never have been able to lose 20lb. I would never would have been able to be in the best shape of my life. I would have never felt the best I have ever felt. I wouldn’t have gotten better and grown as a person. You have to show up for the person you’re going to feel and be later. 

Even after I show up at the gym and I look at the workout I have for the day (I do Crossfit so everyday is an assigned workout), I don’t feel like doing it. I literally tell my husband every morning, “Ugh I don’t know if I have the energy for this”. It’s not that I don’t struggle or try to make an excuse, it’s catching myself when I do. It’s stopping my thought immediately in it’s tracks and getting up to start. I have never regretted finishing a workout yet. That’s what keeps me showing up.

One of the main underlying reasons of consistency every day revolves around one thing: habit. You keep showing up until you make it a habit your body craves. Everyday as human beings we are habitually repeating things over and over. It’s just a matter if those things are things that are going to better you or keep you stagnant. Your body craves the habits you create for yourself.

So how do you know if you’ve made something into a habit? The moment you slip up, your body and pattern feels “off”. Your whole day feels thrown out of whack. We have to realize that we’re going to mess up. It’s part of being human. However, we have to get right back to showing up and not submersing ourselves in the guilt. When you feel guilty about messing up, you’re giving yourself too much time to think. Remember, don’t think about it and just get up to DO IT. 

Now, I’m not saying thinking is a bad thing. Sometimes we do need to evaluate and assess in order to come up with a better strategy at times. Sometimes we do need to adapt to different things that come up. However, you have to designate an appropriate time to do so. In the moment, when you’re suppose to create action, is not the right time. 

Lastly, make consistency a PRIORITY. What you prioritize, you will do. BOTTOM LINE. You make time for what you want. No excuse, NOT ONE EXCUSE, will stop it. It may mean adjustment, but not becoming inconsistent. If you fell off the commitment train, you didn’t value what you were doing enough. If what you’re working towards is going to better you, you didn’t value YOU enough. Invest in yourself, you’re worth it. It’s not selfish, it’s wisdom. You can’t be the best version of yourself for others if you don’t value and prioritize making yourself better. 

So let’s break it down:

What are the things that better you that you want to be more consistent in?

Set a plan and be intentional.

Don’t give yourself time to think when you’re suppose to act. 

Get up, create movement, show up, and start. Do it for the feeling after, not for the current feeling.

Make it a habit.

Prioritize and value it. 

Everyone struggles and can have an excuse. My friend, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO KEEP GOING. You’ll never fail if you keep going. Simplicity at it’s finest. I’m here on the struggle bus with you, but guess what? The only way to get better is to get through the struggle. So just know, when you struggle, it’s a good thing. Tell yourself that when you get to it. If it wasn’t for the struggle, you wouldn’t value the growth. 

YOU ARE STRONG!

If you would like to access the “Habit Tracker Worksheet” to help you get back on track and consistent, click here and I will send it to you! 

Catch the live video discussion on the Whole Lifestyle Momma Facebook page or the YouTube Channel! 

PS. If you would love to gain access on how to learn how to eat clean, stick to it, and make it affordable, click here to access The Whole Lifestyle Academy and take the online courses to getting on track!!