If there’s one thing I’ve learned so far having been a very short time in the new ‘world of fitness’, it’s the power of consistency.  I saw this very clearly during my week in LA, being surrounded by like minded people – they were at the gym every day, at the same time, as I was. Working at bettering their bodies, one part at a time.  I realized how important it is to stick to your regimen, to stay focused and not get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results.  What makes one person successful at gaining a fit body while another one fails? Is it because one person trains so much harder, does so many more reps, or eats some magical food or much LESS food than the next? No, of course not.  The key lies in that the successful one KEEPS AT IT, is patient and doesn’t give up.  Success comes from doing the right thing over and over until you slowly start to see results, until you can feel that you are changing – not only on the outside, but also on the inside. The successful take time out to get in touch with this feeling, and become empowered and energized from it.  On days you feel everything else must take priority, or you don’t feel like it – these days are when it’s most important to put on those sneakers and get out of the house. We all have 24 hours a day – remember it is your choice how you dispense of them. We live in a society where instant results are the most desired, we try to invent some new ‘magical’ formula that can get you slim and fit – the faster the better! If you must pop a pill, oh well – let’s go for it!  If one method of working out or eating isn’t working after 2 days, then let’s quickly change it, something must be wrong!! The charm of actually gaining the feeling of achievement after striving hard for your goals, seem to be lost on a lot of people.  Personally, I pride myself on the fact that I did it the ‘old fashioned way’. I drive 30 minutes to and from the gym every day because I know that is what it will take for me to look the way I want to look and feel the way I want to feel.  I have revised my diet so that I can maintain a low body fat percentage all year around – because I want to. By being consistent in my work out and dieting routines, I managed to go from 170 lbs t0 132 lbs, from 21% body fat to below 10%.  But most importantly, by being consistent, I have proven to myself that not only do I have the willpower, but I have the ability to look any way I want to by applying hard work, patience, energy and determination.  Am I where I want to be yet? No, but that’s the beauty of this consistent journey. It consists of constant improvements which never end, which is what keeps this trip so fascinating and rewarding!

But change must always be balanced with some degree of consistency.
Ron D. Burton