Are you someone who gets results and loses them? Do you start out really committed to your regimen and then fall off the wagon? Maintaining longterm success with your health and fitness goals can be challenging. I’ve had several people ask me about what I do and I’ve discussed this clients many times.
1. Plan
“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail” – Winston Churchill
Planning is essential to maintaining longterm success with your health and fitness goals. I always plan out everything. When Monday rolls around, I know exactly what days during the week I plan on getting my workout in, what time I’m getting my workout in, and what I’m going to eat throughout the day. Week after week my plan is virtually the same with a few minor tweaks here and there. I even make sure I plan out when to have treat meals.
Along with planning for the obvious, I try to plan for the unexpected. As much as I try to plan out everything, I know that there are some days where nothing will go according to plan and I try to prepare for that as well. I try to be prepared for every possible situation. It really helps me stay focused and true to my goals.
2. Accountability
Hold yourself accountable. I find that is easier to maintain longterm success when you have the support of a spouse, friend, coworker, family member or coach. Better yet, it will be even easier if you and someone else are going on this journey together. Right now Justin and I are both working towards the same end goal. Having him on board with what I’m doing has made this process more enjoyable and sustainable! Not only that but we really hold each other accountable, we do our best to encourage each other to stay focused and stay on track.
Working with a coach or a trainer, whether virtual or in person is the best way to hold yourself accountable. Being able to check in with them once a week, twice a week and discuss your progress will really help keep you on track. When you know that someone is expecting you check in, show up for a workout, etc. it will make you much more likely to see it through and put the work in.
3. Forgive
Not everyday is going to be perfect. There will be some days throughout your journey where you might fall off the wagon, and that is okay. In these situations, it’s best to just forgive your mistakes and get right back on track. Don’t feel guilty, its important to remember that one small meal will not undo weeks worth of work.
I find it best, to not dwell on how I slipped up. Driving myself crazy thinking about it won’t erase what just happened. Instead, I choose to forgive myself and get right back on track.
4. Practice Patience & Consistency
You didn’t get to where you were overnight and you won’t lose it all overnight either. Every single day make a conscious effort to be consistent with your healthy choices. We’ve written an entire different post on practicing the elements of patience and consistency.
Everyday I remind myself to be patient and everyday I’m consistently making smart food choices and exercising. Practicing patience and consistency will help me maintain longterm success.
If you haven’t already checked out our patience and consistency article, you can do so here:Â https://patienceconsistency.com/patience-consistency/
What do you do to maintain longterm success? Comment below and let us know.
This is good to keep in mind. I do try to jog daily and semi try to eat well. I can’t go on a diet though, hence why I jog daily.
Thank you! Jogging daily is great, you’re making consistent healthy choices with that!
I think the key is persistence and being easy on oneself when it comes to ones body. You make some simple yet pertinent points here.
Exactly, with patience & consistency your results will come!
Great point! I especially like the idea of holding yourself accountable but also don’t beat yourself up just because you had one bad day. The idea is to keep going.
Exactly!
Thank you for the tips. Planning and consistency are definitely my favourite points!
They are really essential to being successful!
I have to put those tips into action. I’m trying to lose weight for years now, but I just can’ commit. It’s so hard in the beginning, and I never quite passed the beginning stage.
Just start and don’t stop, getting started is probably the hardest part – once it becomes a habit you’ll have no problem sticking with it!
I am really bad at being consistent with working out! I think I need someone to keep me accountable and motivated as you mention.
Having someone hold you accountable will really help you stay focused and on track!
it is so important to keep yourself accountable for sure. it keeps you going and also being consistent is important as well.
Agreed!
Great job. Thnks for sharing this article
The forgive and move on is important. Allow yourself that treat and get back on the goals the next meal.
Agreed!!
This is so good! I would need to follow those steps because i have tried to get back into fitness and failed!
Awesome, definitely do it!
These are such great tips–and ones I need to follow. I definitely need to exercise more, although I am not overweight, I need to get in better shape!
Awesome, get started today!
Yes, having a plan and an accountability partner really makes a difference. Patience and being consistent is also a key to getting results. This does not only apply to workouts but also in life and business. 🙂
I completely agree! You can use these tips to maintain long-term success in a variety of areas.
Too many people look at their health goals for the short term and I think that is why people put weight back on or fail. I love your tips!
Thank you! That’s very true most people just consider the short term instead of long term – great point!
I changed my eating habits and eliminated meat and will do seafood. I hope myself accountabile daily and it makes me choose to eat healthier options now!
Awesome, definitely hold yourself accountable!
I think staying focus is important. I don’t do a lot of fitness exercise program but I do agree with accountability and consistency. It’s great to have good support system to make things success.
Agreed!
Interesting article. Is it true that fitness is 80% diet and 20% exercise?
It’s hard to define in in exact % terms. You cannot out exercise a bad diet, its more important to have healthy food on the plate than to spend hours in the gym.
I am really bad at maintaining a work out routine! I agree persistence and consistency is the key. I will try to involve the tips in my routine. Thank you!
Patience and consistency are key but extremely hard to practice!
Powering through the pain is the hardest! Once you get past it.. you’re going to love it!
staying focused is essential. I do like jogging 🙂 these are some great points you mentioned
Thank you!
Can’t agree more. It takes time and effort to build a healthy lifestyle.
Agreed!
Accountability is really important when it comes to health and fitness. It’s the only way to truly reach your goals.
Agreed!
I really need to get back into some daily exercise. Its so hard to get it done these days being such a busy mum and WAHM !
Definitely try to get back into it!