It is a rare individual who can coast along without a plan and achieve the results they want for their body and health. The only people I know who can do that are those who have anchored their lives around it. They can probably get away without a well-structured plan because systems are in place to ensure that the work gets done. The daily work does not feel like a burden for them and, if the work does not get done, then that is what weighs the system down. These people have fallen in love with the process because they have stuck with it long enough to see that consistency pays off. When it became clear that consistent behaviors over a long period of time led to the change they were looking for, that was all the motivation to keep going they would ever need. Like I said, this is a rare individual and these traits are very difficult to cultivate within yourself if you are not this type of person.

Do you need to be like the person described above to get results?

Not exactly, but you can probably learn a lot from paying attention to the lifestyles they live.

Not once have I mentioned a type of exercise routine and nutrition regimen. I am only addressing one quality in this blog and that is the ability to do something over and over again for an indefinite amount of time. That thing could be eating adequate protein, lifting weights, dancing, yoga, walking, running, following a specific diet, or all of these things combined. Being consistent is the name of the game when it comes to making real changes. Before deciding on what strategy you are going to use to lose weight, build muscle, or get healthier it is worth taking time to consider whether that strategy will be something you can tolerate and use forever. Here are some good examples of strategies I have seen implemented that were unrealistic in regard to the ability to remain consistent:

  1. Cutting out alcohol completely
  2. Cutting out carbs completely
  3. Cutting out fat completely
  4. 3+ hours of cardio every week for the purpose of losing weight
  5. Trying to accomplish a health goal without the spouse or significant other helping or participating
  6. Reducing caloric intake to below 1200 calories daily (think weight watchers)

I am not saying that I have not seen any of these strategies work, but I am saying that it is a rare individual who can make those strategies work long term. You don’t need some intricate plan that details every aspect of your life for the next year, you really only need to commit to working hard consistently over a long period of time. Make it your number one goal to get that ingrained in your head and anchor your goals around that main tenant.

Should there be a plan?

Yes.

How detailed should that plan be?

That depends on how detailed the goals are.

For most people just trying to get healthier, feel better, look better, and move better, it is more important to get the broader plan nailed down before the small details. Some great questions to consider when creating the outline for this would be:

  1. How much free time do I have to train?
  2. Who are the people I surround myself with and will they be supportive of these changes I am going to make?
  3. What are the things I do that I know are not beneficial to my health and what can I change?
  4. Do I have some base level knowledge to accomplish this myself or do I need help?
  5. Based on the answers to the questions above, can I implement changes into my lifestyle that I can stick with forever?

Someone I pay attention to recently framed this concept in a different way that hit home for me. Whatever it is that you are trying to accomplish, whether it be related to health and fitness, financials, relationships, lifestyle, or anything else, ask yourself, “what would the people who are already successful in these areas do?” If you find yourself going to the pantry for a snack before bed and you know it is not part of your plan, ask yourself that question. If you aren’t making enough money doing whatever it is you are doing, ask yourself that question. In almost all cases somebody has done what you are currently trying to do, so don’t give yourself an easy out by quitting because you think it can’t be done.