There are certain summers that stick with you—not because everything went smoothly, but because life had a way of handing you exactly the lessons you needed. My internship in the state of Washington, the summer of 1980, was one of those. Back then, I was a junior at Iowa State, trying to line up all the things I thought would guarantee a good job after graduation: solid grades, some campus involvement, and most importantly, that golden ticket on any engineering résumé—an internship in your field. So I spent the spring sending out application after application, collecting a thick stack of rejection letters in return. It became routine enough that some days I’d find myself laughing at how efficiently companies could say “No thanks.” My dorm room wall was full of “flush letters” and I treated it like it was a badge of honor.
Step 9 to Better Health_Staying Consistent and Persistent
Step 9 to Better Health_Staying Consistent and Persistent
In our “9 Steps to Better Health” series, we’ve covered a range of steps that contribute to a healthier lifestyle. As we reach the final step, Step 9, we focus on staying consistent and persistent. This step encompasses the mindset and approach needed to ensure long-term success in your health journey. It’s about committing to long-term health and being kind to yourself, even when setbacks occur. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to cultivate consistency and persistence while embracing the ups and downs that come with improving health and fitness.
Improving health and fitness isn’t a quick fix or a short-term goal—it’s a lifelong journey. Committing to long-term health requires consistency, patience, and dedication. Here’s why this commitment is crucial for achieving lasting results:
Sustainability: Health and fitness should be sustainable. Fad diets and extreme workout regimens may yield quick results, but they are rarely maintainable. A long-term commitment encourages you to make gradual, sustainable changes.
Realistic Expectations: Long-term health requires setting realistic goals and being patient with your progress. Rapid transformations are rare, and it’s essential to understand that lasting change takes time.
Continuous Growth: A commitment to long-term health promotes continuous growth and adaptation. As your body changes, so should your approach to health and fitness.
Committing to long-term health involves adopting a mindset that prioritizes consistency and gradual improvement. Here are some tips to help you stay committed:
Set Realistic Goals: Start with achievable goals that align with your lifestyle and preferences. Consider long-term objectives that focus on overall health rather than short-term results.
Develop Healthy Habits: Build healthy habits that can become part of your daily routine. These habits could include regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and consistent sleep patterns.
Embrace Flexibility: Long-term health requires flexibility. As life changes, your routine may need to adapt. Embrace this flexibility without compromising your commitment.
Find Your Why: Understanding why you want to improve your health provides a deeper sense of purpose. Whether it’s to live longer, have more energy, or set an example for your children, keep your “why” in mind.
Consistency is key to long-term health. It’s about showing up for yourself day after day, even when the results aren’t immediately visible. Consistency builds momentum, leading to compounding benefits over time. To stay consistent, focus on the following:
Create a Routine: Establish a daily or weekly routine that incorporates healthy habits. This routine should be manageable and adaptable to your lifestyle.
Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize and celebrate the small achievements along the way. This helps reinforce positive behavior and keeps you motivated.
Stay Accountable: Find ways to stay accountable, whether through a workout buddy, a health app, or a fitness coach. Accountability helps maintain consistency.
Practicing self-compassion and maintaining a positive outlook can make a significant difference in your health journey. Here are some ways to be kind to yourself:
Don’t Be Discouraged by Setbacks: Setbacks are normal. If you miss a workout, indulge in unhealthy food, or experience a plateau, remember that these are temporary. Focus on getting back on track rather than dwelling on setbacks.
Practice Gratitude: Reflect on the progress you’ve made and the positive changes in your life. Keeping a gratitude journal can help you maintain a positive outlook.
Seek Support: Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage your health journey. Sharing your experiences with others can boost morale and keep you motivated.
Focus on Proactive Metrics: If you’re not moving the needle on some of your original goals, shift your focus to proactive metrics. This could mean celebrating your consistency, the energy you feel, or your improved mental clarity.
Staying consistent and persistent is the final step in our “9 Steps to Better Health” series. Committing to long-term health and being kind to yourself are essential elements of this step. Remember, the journey to better health is not linear. It involves ups and downs, and embracing self-compassion will keep you on track, even during challenging times. By committing to consistency and focusing on progress rather than perfection, you’ll be well-positioned for a successful and fulfilling health journey.
If you enjoyed this post, be sure to sign up below to have new content always delivered to your inbox.
Leave a Comment 👋
Leave a Comment 👋
Leave a Comment 👋
Leave a Comment 👋
The Internship That Changed Everything
Long Lake Summers
There are seasons in life you don’t see coming—chapters that don’t announce themselves with fanfare, yet settle so deeply into your memory that years later you can still smell the lake water, feel the pull of the tow rope, and hear the hum of a boat engine echoing across a still summer evening. For me, one of those chapters began the moment I graduated from Iowa State in May of 1981 and took my first real job at 3M. I was barely 22, carrying that mix of confidence and cluelessness that only a new graduate can pull off, and ready to step into the adult world.
Hero of the Beach
When I think back to my childhood— maybe around nine years old—there’s a very specific smell, a very specific feeling, that comes rushing back: the scent of ink and old paper from a stack of Marvel comic books. It’s funny how memory works. I can’t remember what I ate last Tuesday, but I can still picture—clear as day—the cover of The Amazing Spider-Man #56 with the Daily Bugle headlines screaming "Spidey joins Doc Ock" sitting on the floor of my bedroom, or the way the corner store rack looked when I spun it, hoping for a new issue of anything with the red-and-blue web-slinger on the front.