The balance between change and consistency

My fitness life is in constant re-evaluation.

I am forever returning to the big picture surrounding my physical self, trying to decide if my actions are getting me where I want to go.

I do the same with my clients. I judge whether their exercise programs are addressing weaknesses, instabilities, and immobilities. I question if all aspects of fitness are being practiced at some point in the cycle of change that I create for them. I grill my clients on the amount of rest they get, the presence of stress in their time away from me, the amount and quality of food that they consume, and the extra wellness services they receive from other fitness pros. I educate on mobility exercises, stretches, and foam rolling techniques... and I follow up to see if they spend the time releasing their tight muscles.

There's only so much time in one week.
And with that limited time, some weeks will find a person more successful at being attentive to health and fitness. Other weeks will be duds. Which is why it's important to shrug off those 'dud' weeks and ensure that no unproductive habits solidify themselves.

It's important to re-evaluate your actions in ALL aspects of health...
To make sure that you are not leaving out anything.

• Because it's hard to begin stretching ULTRA tight muscles after doing your best to make them as tight as ever through intense exercise and faulty movement patterns.

• Because it's hard to add metabolic, stamina-challenging exercises into your workouts if you've neglected to work on that aspect of fitness for multiple months.

• And because it's hard to catch up on all that sleep you've been skimping on.

So, don't forget to re-evaluate your actions on a weekly basis and do your best to be all-inclusive of ALL the important stuff.


But...

It's also important for me to note...

A lifestyle with TOO much change will not produce beneficial results.

One needs the consistency of a solid program or solid eating habits for a 'solid' amount of time!

For diet, we need to allow ourselves a few weeks at least to know whether our specific habits are leading us to our goals. Too much change won't allow us to measure what is working.

For exercise, we need to allow our bodies to have the chance to improve at the challenges with which we are presenting it. Too much change will lead to stagnation and plateaus.

For everything else, we truly need to accumulate TIME in order to evaluate the results of our actions. Too much inconsistency in our approach to wellness will lead us nowhere.


So, the message here is...

First evaluate the status of your body and health... evaluate strength, stamina, balances of the muscular system, flexibility, mobility, joint health, muscle tension, presence of pain or weakness, nutritional habits, rest/recovery practices, etc, etc.

Then, create an exercise program (or have one created for you) that will work to improve any issues. Begin nutritional habits that will help you strive toward your goals. Practice rehabilitative measures consistently. Stick with it for at least a month.

And while you are carrying out your programs and habits, constantly be re-evaluating whether you are being consistent, whether you are giving yourself the tools necessary to fully benefit from your actions (plenty of rest, lotsa water, sufficient stretching, possible appointments with chiropractors or massage therapists), and whether there are any prudent steps you need to add into the next program or time frame.

Have I been talking in circles??
:)

Enjoy yourselves, friends.
And just do the best you can.