Pretty straightforward it seems. Somehow though, it never gets done. It’s not even because you’re lazy, you probably do tons of hard things every day. It’s also not because you lack motivation, no, you have enough motivation for five people, and you can even hold a class for motivation if needed.

There are so many things that could break into your healthy living plan. It could be that in juggling your kids, your job, and other things, working out or eating healthy becomes easier to leave behind. It could also be that after your first one hour in the gym, you woke up the next morning with burning thighs, heavy feet and sore arms, wondering how and why you signed up to suffer. It could even be a reason you can’t explain. You only know you just stopped.

Consistency, simply put, is staying on course, and it is a very hard but necessary part of healthy living.

How do you build consistency?

Consistency requires a conscious effort. Here are some ways to help with building consistency.

Make it a priority

Don’t make living healthy the easiest thing to kick off your have –to-do list. You can try planning other things along with it. You could consciously add fruits and vegetables at the top of your grocery list, do a proper walk when you take your dog out, fix your gym time for when you won’t be too tired or caught up with other things. Find out how to make things easier; cutting vegetables and storing them for when you’re in a rush, having easy but delicious recipes.

Get alternative routines

Routines always have the tendency to get boring after a while. Having more than one routine that you can alternate will keep things interesting and hold your attention. Our bodies and minds are capable of doing more than one thing at a time. I’m not saying you should over work your body, I am saying you should incorporate variety.

Build into it

It takes a while to get into a routine. Give yourself room and time to grow. Pace yourself and take step by step approaches. Create targets and attach significant time frames to them. If you want to run for an hour every day, you could start with twenty minutes, build into thirty minutes and so on till you reach your target and can stay on it or go beyond it.

Utilize your own space

A lot of people do not actually have enough time to go to the gym or somewhere else outside for the sake of exercising. Some others do not want to go at all. Exercising can be versatile and different methods are available. You can use whatever space and opportunities you have available.

Try the stairs instead of the lift, walk to the store when you can instead of driving. You could also get equipment to work with at home. According to Jamie, a fitness expert at Fitness Expo, we’re past the time when having workout equipment at home cost so much or required so much space.

You also get to completely control your routine, pay attention to handling possible germs on your own terms, and not be bothered about your outfit and all the other factors you’re probably worried about.

Get involved with other people

You can become part of group involved in the same fitness plan as you, or find one or two other people on the same path. It helps to have someone or other people to jog with, complain with or even share recipes. It makes it more interesting and gives you accountability. Being in a fitness group can create a bit of healthy competition which would be needed to keep moving from time to time.

Have a plan B

You know how you try to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances; a ripped dress, a child with a cold or eye bags from little sleep? You can apply the same approach in healthy living. Something comes up and you can’t do A, you can always do B.

Make sure you enjoy it

Just like it can be quite hard to finish a book you do not find interesting, it can be hard to stick with routines you do not enjoy as well. You don’t have to force yourself into liking anything. Find routines you enjoy doing, get a work out music playlist, revamp your workout clothes, or try out new healthy recipes with your friends for the fun of it. This creates other activities outside the actual activity.

Keep it simple and track yourself

Don’t complicate the process. You don’t have to do everything at once, it’ll get tiring. It would also be hard to pin point what doesn’t work for you. Write down your goals and your accomplishments. It helps to see how far you can go. It can be a good motivator when you feel down and out.

Set rules and start small habits

Give yourself limits and rules and stick to them. Define what happens when you miss two workout sessions in a row or when you splurge and go against your diet for a while. Try to make up for whatever lost time you have.

Start small habits like drinking water a number of times before the end of the day, taking the stairs when you aren’t in a hurry, or eating fruits a few times a week.

Conclusion

Failing is not failure. If at any point things do not go according to plan, get up and get back into it. Remember to give yourself enough room and time to grow. Reward yourself when you reach target. Remember to have as much fun as you can while living healthy.