Most of these blog posts are based on conversations with members inside the wall at ELEVATE Strength & Performance. Sometimes the conversations we have are about exercises. Most of the conversations are about consistency, discipline, recovery, stress management, sleep and nutrition.
If you’re successful in your work and career, you’re likely disciplined and consistent. You have a set schedule, you show up, you have actions to do that lead to an outcome, and you do your job.
Over time, you learn new skills, your income increases, and your level within the organization you work for changes based on your performance and experience.
When it comes to your fitness, the same formula applies.
There’s a connection between discipline and consistency that, just like your daily work, will benefit you in the long run.
It’s been said, “Discipline gets you started. Consistency keeps you going in the right direction.”
Consistency is what turns your disciplined actions into your positive habits and helps you avoid bad habits that interfere with your progress. Your progress becomes more predictable over time due to your discipline and consistency.
When you develop routines that support your habits, you don’t have to make decisions on what to do. Discipline is your prioritization of these consistent actions that help you focus your energy on what’s most important.
When you are consistent with your actions, you experience the results you’re looking to achieve over time. Discipline keeps you on track despite setbacks or challenges along the way.
How does this look with your fitness routine?
Despite not having the burning desire to show up in the morning to exercise, or go to the gym after a long day of work, you do it anyway to be consistent. You set your gym gear next to your bed so it’s ready to wear when you wake up, or it’s in your gym bag so ready to go after work.
After a challenging training session, you might be physically fatigued yet you are mentally present and your mind is clear. You feel satisfied and energized mentally and physically.
You’re recognizing the small changes over time. It’s not the day-to-day changes that are significant, but how you’ve progress through your current program, from where you started originally or within a certain time frame. The movements you could not perform and the weights you could lift are now a part of your normal everyday life. You’re feeling stronger in and out of the gym. The tweaks and twinges and setbacks are less common now that you’re stronger and more fit.
Your gym routine is carrying over to your nutrition and you’re making choices with how you eat that reinforce your desire to be more fit. Your next doctor’s appointment confirms your health metrics are improving, you notice you’re sleeping better, your mental clarity has improved and your immune system feels resilient.
It’s not just discipline or consistency by themselves. The two work together. Discipline fuels your action and consistency delivers results.Another aspect of consistency is showing up. Some of our busier training sessions have more member because they’re showing up for themselves and for one another.