Consistency vs. perfection: a common struggle in life, even more pronounced in the health & fitness industry. With the rising popularity of social media platforms, the promise of the “perfect” body is inescapable. “5 minute abs,” “summer body boot camp,” etc., etc.

The truth is -and I know you know this -there is no such thing as “the perfect body.”  There is only YOUR body.  You get one and you have to treat it well.  Trying to achieve perfection is a losing proposition…and a frustrating one.  Those instant diets don’t work.  Those shakes are not going to give you a six pack. And you are going to derail your goals by trying to attain perfection.  It just doesn’t work.

Consistency works.  Consistency is defined as “constantly adhering to the same principles, course, form, etc.”  Consistency makes no mention of perfection. It’s just about doing the same thing, day after day, and sticking to it.  If you can be consistent with your workouts and your diet and your lifestyle even 80% of the time, you will achieve better results.  I can give you a personal example: I do bent over rows 2-3 times a week as part of my overall workout.  In the beginning, I never really thought about my back too much…until other people started mentioning it to me -how strong it looked, how muscular it was.  All very nice compliments (especially for a trainer) but my point is that had nothing to do with me trying to achieve a “perfect back” and everything to do with me just staying consistent with my workouts. 

Consistency also leaves room for mistakes, missteps, off days, holidays.  Perfection doesn’t allow for any of the above.  You will have a bad day or a “cheat” day.  It’s OK.  The next day will be a better one.  Having one bad day will not derail your progress so don’t let it.  Just stay consistent.  And the results will come.