Consistency is King (and Queen!): Your Exercise Physiologist’s Take on Staying on Track
Hello everyone! It’s your friendly neighbourhood Exercise Physiologist here, and today I want to talk about something crucial for achieving your health and fitness goals: consistency. We all know life gets busy, and sometimes, our carefully planned exercise routines get derailed. But how we handle those setbacks can make or break our progress.
The Power of Regularity:
Think of your exercise programme like building a house. You wouldn’t lay a few bricks one week and then leave the project untouched for a month, would you? You’d aim for consistent progress, laying bricks regularly to create a solid structure. The same principle applies to your fitness.
- Physiological Adaptations: Your body adapts best to regular, consistent stimuli. Muscle growth, cardiovascular improvements, and metabolic changes occur gradually over time with consistent effort.
- Skill Development: Exercise often involves developing new skills and movement patterns. Regular practice is essential for mastering these skills and improving coordination.
- Mental Well-being: Consistency fosters a sense of accomplishment and routine, which can positively impact your mental health.
Life Happens: Missed Sessions and Catching Up:
We all have those days (or weeks!) where life throws us a curveball, and we miss a scheduled exercise session. It’s okay! Don’t beat yourself up about it. The key is to catch up as soon as possible.
- Don’t Let One Missed Session Turn into Many: The longer you wait to get back on track, the harder it becomes. One missed session can easily snowball into a week, a month, or even longer of inactivity.
- Prioritise Catching Up: Treat your missed session like an important appointment. Look at your schedule and find a time to squeeze it in, even if it’s a shorter session than usual.
- Adjust Your Schedule: If you know you’re going to be busy, try to adjust your schedule in advance. Can you move your workout to an earlier time? Or perhaps do a shorter, more intense session?
Accountability: Your Secret Weapon:
Staying accountable is crucial for maintaining consistency.
- Find an Accountability Partner: This could be a friend, family member, or even a fellow gym-goer. Having someone to check in with can provide motivation and support.
- Track Your Progress: Use a fitness tracker, journal, or app to monitor your workouts and progress. Seeing your progress can be a powerful motivator.
- Work with an Exercise Physiologist (Like Me!): We can help you create a personalised plan, provide guidance, and keep you accountable.
Rebooking: Don’t Wait for “Your” Time Slot:
One of the biggest pitfalls I see is people waiting for their “regular” time slot to rebook. If you miss a session, don’t wait weeks for your usual appointment.
- Book the Next Available Slot: Even if it’s at a different time or day, book the next available slot. This ensures you get back into the routine quickly.
- Flexibility is Key: Be flexible with your schedule. Remember, any exercise is better than no exercise.
- Communicate with Your Practitioner: If you have scheduling constraints, communicate with your Exercise Physiologist or trainer. They can often work with you to find a suitable solution.
In summary:
- Consistency is the foundation of any successful exercise programme.
- Don’t let missed sessions derail your progress; catch up as soon as possible.
- Accountability is essential for staying on track.
- Be flexible with your schedule and book the next available appointment.
Remember, every step you take towards your fitness goals is a step in the right direction. Keep moving, stay consistent, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. We’re all in this together!