Consistency=Success

I know it’s been awhile since I’ve added to my blog. But, today’s topic seams relative to the time of year and to our current EXL Fitness Fit 4 Photos Transformation Challenge.

Ah, the plaintive cry of the frustrated client.

“IT’S NOT WORKING!”

Some days, it feels like you’re spinning your wheels. The harder you mash down on that gas pedal, the more your tires sink into the mud. You’re stuck.

But are you? Really?

From my experience in working with hundreds of clients, I know that one thing determines success: consistency.

The higher your consistency with workouts, nutrition habits, supplements and tracking , the better your results will be.

This is why we focus on ensuring that clients are – and can be – as consistent as possible. If you aren’t getting results, then we need to work on improving your consistency (and measuring that honestly and accurately).

Consistency equals success.

Well…it equals success most of the time.

You see, every year we get new client at EXL and there are a few folks who kick ass in the gym and the kitchen, stick to the program, stay positive and proactive… but don’t lose much (or any) fat.

This can happen for many reasons.

• Some clients are close to their goal already. They only have a few pounds of fat to lose, so their progress is slow.
• Some clients aren’t training to lose fat – they want to learn to improve their eating habits and get a program with structure. For them, “success” is not measured with a tape measure or calipers, but by life changes.
• Some clients have health situations, or are on medications, that make it extra-hard to lose fat.
• Some clients are as consistent as they can be… with limitations. Perhaps they’re injured and can’t exercise as intensely or as often as they’d like. Perhaps they’re working long alternating shifts in a high-stress job – they fit in workouts and proper eating wherever they can, but there’s only so much you can do when you pull an all-nighter on a busy ambulance route or in an emergency ward.
• Some clients are so new to the process of healthy eating and regular exercise that they need a little extra time to practice habits. For them, “eating slowly” may mean that they’re actually sitting down for 5 minutes to eat vs. the 20 minutes were aiming for.
• Some clients are simply looking at the wrong indicators of progress. They may be staying the same weight and girth, but replacing fat with muscle (which we discover when we measure their percent body fat and also when we look at their photos).

Whatever the reason, these few folks are nailing high consistency, but not seeing the numbers change.

This, too, is a valiant battle.

It’s hard to stay motivated and committed without these numeric rewards.

For this reason, we salute and recognize those that fall in to the “high consistency/low numeric change” category today — folks who are working hard, sticking to the program, and remaining enthusiastic even when the scale needle doesn’t budge.

Your consistency is high and you’re movin’ on

If you’re in the “high consistency/low numeric change” category, some advice.

• Focus on the quality of the process. Remember this is a journey in which there is no finish line. Keep acting in meaningful, purposeful ways, every day. Stay focused on doing the right things.
• Focus on other indicators of progress. You may be making tremendous progress in other ways. You may be stronger, more fit, more flexible. You may have better biomarkers (blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides). Your attitude may be better. You may have more energy so you’re more patient with your kids. Maybe you’re fit enough pull out the old skis that you haven’t been on since college and spend a day on the slopes…The point is there are many ways to measure progress.
• Work with your trainer or nutrition coach to address any limiting factors and obstacles. There may be small elements holding you back that you haven’t yet thought of.
• If you need more accountability with your nutrition think of joining our Nutrition Coaching Group (it’s pretty much free if you report your compliance weekly to the group).
• Keep a close record of what you’re doing and eating. This can help your coach spot potential problems, and it helps keep you on track.
• Consider whether you can bump up your consistency by pushing yourself a little. Are you truly 80% compliant to your nutrition plan? Could you work a little harder in the gym or be more consistent with your workouts outside of EXL?
• Consider whether you may actually need to work less. Some clients aren’t getting results because they’re beating themselves into the ground. If you’re starving yourself and doing three hours of cardio a day along with a high-stress job, you may want to rethink your strategy.

If you are happy with your rate of change, keep up the good work! High five yourself and keep on truckin’.

Stay Fit

Mat ‘the trainer’