Every true decision is followed up by action. If the action step is missing it is merely an intention. Every day we witness people "meaning" to do things, "trying" to do something, "attempting" to change. The process of making a resolute decision is what takes the longest, change happens in an instant. Once you have decided to become healthier and "turn a new leaf" your life will never be the same.

Now is the time to argue that point with why so many people "fail" as they get on an exercise program or a nutrition plan. There are several reasons why it happens and this time we will focus on what makes any action effective.

It is not enough to simply jump in and "do something". Your action must possess the following 3 characteristics:

1. It must be appropriate.
2. It must be consistent.
3. And it absolutely must be manageable.

Let’s take a closer look at each of the above.

When it comes to fitness, to take appropriate steps, you need to figure out the details of every aspect of fitness and how to apply them to yourself – specifically: nutrition and exercise, both muscular and cardiovascular. Employing a fitness coach is by far the most efficient way to approach the subject, but do your research – not all personal trainers are the same. The other thing you can do is acquire necessary knowledge from books, internet, other sources. Sorting through all the information can be very time consuming but you need to know WHAT to do. Otherwise it can result in wasted energy, frustration, lack or results and subsequently – quitting.

The action must be consistent. If it happens on and off, not only will it take much longer to get to the goal, but it will prevent you from establishing healthy habits (which are the key to long term success in fitness.) Accountability becomes very important, whether through a reliable workout buddy, your family or your personal trainer.

And lastly, the steps you take must be manageable. If a 5 am workout is just not going to happen, schedule a time that will work better for you. If you love variety in everything you do, an hour on the treadmill every day might not be the best idea. Without going into too much detail at the moment, I encourage you to take a few minutes and figure out what needs to happen for you to stick with it – does it need to be fun, do you need encouragement along the way, do you need to re-work your schedule? An in-depth consultation with a fitness professional, once again, may be helpful to set up a game plan.

There is so much to be said for taking action and sticking with it! Meanwhile, feel free to call our studio and set up a complimentary consultation to help you take action which is appropriate, consistent and manageable. If you have not succeeded in the past, now is the time to do it right.

Juliana Jade