Results.

Everyone starts an exercise program for one reason: they want results.

I remember my first years of retirement where one of my focuses was to get myself into a regular exercise program. I really struggled with consistency. When something else would grab my attention, I dropped that planned session or class quickly. It is only now, after 4 years of consistent weekly strength training, I can look back on those days and understand why I had such a problem with consistency. In my mind exercise didn’t have it’s proper place. I looked at it as some extra-curricular activity that was more fun than serious, therefore when serious stuff stole my attention, exercise was the first thing to go. Yet I still wanted results.

It took working in the fitness business to help me see that I could only get those results through consistency. And to be consistent, strength training had to take a new place on my priority list. I came to realize that all those other serious things that took it’s place wouldn’t even matter if I was no longer able to do them. In our 40’s and 50’s we still have a lot of energy to give to our life. We think that will last forever. It won’t. Running, biking, yoga, and all the outdoor activities we enjoy are great – but they do not build muscle. Muscle is our fountain of youth and must be attended to consistently, 3 times a week, for the rest of our lives.

I get people all the time saying I can’t come to the gym because my job is overwhelming, my daughter is getting married, etc. and the best one? Because it’s summer. Since when does muscle building not have to happen in a particular season?

If you find yourself in the same situation I was in years ago, here is a simple solution to help you develop consistency. Print out a calendar. Schedule your workouts 3 times a week like appointments. On the top of the calendar write “CONSISTENCY = RESULTS” and hang it someplace you can see it every morning – in your closet or on the bathroom mirror. Give yourself a big fat star for every workout appointment you keep or reschedule. I’m serious. There is nothing more motivating than seeing all those stars. 12 stars for the month and guess what? You will start seeing those results. And those results will be the reason the you print out a new calendar for the next month, and the next month, and guess what now? You have achieved consistency and your results are getting better every month.

And so, as another day goes by, learn to look at those planned exercise sessions as appointments you keep with yourself. Be mindful that building muscle must be number one in your life because without it, all those other things keeping you from your strength training will not matter when you can no longer do them.