The Secret Ingredient to Success: Why Consistency is King

Last week, three of my fabulous PT clients achieved running personal bests, and I couldn’t be prouder.

Anne ringing her half marathon PB at Copenhagen

Hayley ringing the bell for her half marathon PB at Worcester

Linda ringing the bell for her 10k PB at Worcester

For the last 9 months, they have dedicated themselves to intense training, including both endurance and strength exercises. However, the key to their success has been consistency. With this understanding, I've created a blog about why consistency reigns supreme.

## The Secret Ingredient to Success: Consistency is King

We've all experienced it: you're motivated with a new fitness goal, whether it's running a marathon, lifting a personal record, or boosting energy. You hit the gym five days straight, pushing hard, but then life intervenes. A hectic workweek, social events, or fatigue disrupts your routine, and your motivation dwindles.

This is where the power of consistency plays a vital role. Although intensity and effort are essential elements of any training regimen, consistency is the frequently underestimated key that turns your aspirations from mere ideas into concrete achievements.

Building Momentum and Discipline

Imagine your training journey as pushing a heavy boulder uphill. The first push demands significant force and energy. It's challenging, and you might feel like progress is slow. However, with each steady push, the boulder begins to move, building momentum.

Consistency involves more than just showing up; it's about building mental discipline. Regular training strengthens both body and mind, reinforcing that your goals are a priority and that you're committed, even on tough days. This discipline helps you overcome plateaus and setbacks.

The Power of Small, Sustainable Steps

Starting out, it's tempting to go all in, but doing too much too soon can cause burnout and injury. Consistency with smaller, sustainable steps is key. Instead of five intense workouts weekly, start with three.

Consistent small actions lead to significant progress over time. A 30-minute run three times a week for a month is more effective than one two-hour run followed by inactivity. Each session, however small, builds endurance, strength, and confidence without overwhelming you.

The Science Behind the Grind

Consistency in workouts leads to physiological adaptation and strength. Exercise creates micro-tears in muscle fibers, which are repaired during recovery, resulting in stronger muscles. This process, called supercompensation, is essential for fitness improvement.

However, this adaptation occurs only with repeated stimulus. If you train intensely once and then take an extended break, your body's adaptations begin to reverse. Each time, you're essentially starting over. Consistency guarantees that you're continuously building on your past efforts, enabling your body to advance and achieve new performance levels.

Making Consistency a Habit

Here's how to make consistency an essential part of your life.

* Start Small: Set a realistic schedule that you can confidently adhere to, even during your busiest weeks.

* Schedule It: Prioritise your workouts by treating them as essential appointments. Add them to your calendar and fully commit to them.

* Stay Flexible: Life doesn't always follow the plan. If you miss a workout, there's no need to worry. Simply resume with your next session and keep moving forward.

* Discover Your "Why": Keep your specific goal at the forefront of your mind. This intrinsic motivation is a powerful tool, especially on days when external motivation wanes.

The path to achieving a goal is never a straight line; it's a journey marked by ups and downs. By prioritising consistency, you train not only your body but also your mind to be resilient, disciplined, and unstoppable. It's not about perfection; it's about persistence. In the world of training, persistence always triumphs.