I am consistently inconsistent. Over and over again I tell myself that I want to try something new but then I never stick with it!! For example, I wanted to start blogging once a week, well I post 2 posts and then not another one in sight for for months. Then I wanted to stop eating carbs..well we all know how that turned out (that one is truly laughable). It doesn't help that I am married to the King of consistency and routine. Travis works out every day and eats almost the same dinner every night- some people find that refreshing, all I can say is booorrriiinnnggg. I never do the same thing every morning or every night. I rarely put something in the same spot every day, which is probably why I am always searching for my keys, purse, credit card, and phone. I just lack the need/ motivation/whatever it is for routine and consistency. So I started doing some research on things that can help keep you consistent and on a routine. I really do want to start having a routine so here are a few tips I found to help me do that:
1) Make short term goals: Don't say- for the next year I am going to workout everyday. Nope, that will never happen. Instead, say- for the next month I am going to workout 4-5 days a week. As you get into the groove then you can add more demands such as, I will try a new exercise once a week or I will run X amount of miles or I will start eating more spinach.
2) It takes 3-6 weeks to form a new habit: So don't be so hard on yourself if you still want to sleep in instead of working out- it will become a routine eventually. Just keep going and trying! Don't give up!
3) Reward yourself: Tell yourself that if you eat X, or stop biting your nails, or stop watching so much tv for X amount of time then you get to buy that new movie, shirt, jewelry, etc. that you have been wanting to get for a while. There needs to be something fun to look forward to and you deserve it!!
4) Forgive yourself: Stop comparing yourself to others. Who cares if Sally B workouts 7 days a week for 2 hours each days and has the same smoothie for breakfast everyday. It is great if it motivates you but don't let other people make you feel bad about yourself. It is OK if we mess up. Don't dwell on it just move on and do better tomorrow. Everyone is different and some people (like me) just have to work harder at being consistent. Acknowledge that and adjust accordingly.
5) Write your goals down: It is much harder to give up something if you make in concrete. Once you write it down put it in a place where you see it or set daily alarms. I have an alarm that goes off everyday and asks if I have worked out today. But it can be one for "have you read your bible today?" or "have you prayed today?" or "have you drank enough water?" I like having it in the form of questions because then you have to answer it.
I am going to try all these things but please add some more tips!! I'd love to see other suggestions!
