Why Consistency in Training Beats Perfection: A Personal Journey to Staying on Track
Let’s be real for a second—sometimes, life just sucks. We all have moments when the last thing we want to do is hit the gym, push ourselves, or stay consistent with training. Maybe you’ve felt it too—the weight of stress, emotional struggles, or just pure exhaustion. Trust me, I’ve been there. More than once. But here's something I’ve learned: Consistency is king. It's the one thing that can keep you moving forward, even when everything else feels like it's falling apart.
Consistency > Perfection
We all want to be perfect, right? Whether it’s hitting every workout exactly as planned, nailing every rep, or just looking and feeling our best every single day. But perfection is a myth. And chasing perfection can leave you feeling frustrated, discouraged, and ready to throw in the towel.
There have been times in my life when even showing up felt impossible. One time in particular stands out: I went through a pretty rough breakup, and my ex went to the same gym as me. Imagine trying to get through a workout while being overwhelmed by emotions. There were days when I’d start a session and just wanted to cry. But I made a deal with myself—if I couldn’t do the full workout, I’d finish at least one exercise. Just one. Sometimes, that’s all I had in me. And you know what? That was okay. Showing up, even if I wasn’t at my best, still meant I was moving forward.
The Bare Minimum is Still Progress
Another tough time? When I was put on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) at work. My workload doubled, and I felt like I had to prove myself. Mentally, I was drained, and my energy for training was nonexistent. All I wanted to do was stay home, binge-watch TV, and soak in a hot bath.
But I didn’t give up on my workouts. I adjusted. If I couldn’t handle an intense gym session, I’d switch things up—go for a run, play a sport, or do some bodyweight exercises at home. It wasn’t perfect, but it kept me active and moving forward.
And that’s the key: Consistency doesn’t mean smashing every workout. It means showing up, even when all you can manage is the bare minimum. That small effort still adds up over time. And over time, you’ll see progress, even on the days when you feel like you’re barely scraping by.
Make Your Week Work for You
Life doesn’t always go according to plan. Work can get overwhelming, relationships can get rocky, and mental health can take a hit. But the beauty of fitness is that it can fit around your life. You don’t have to do everything perfectly. Some days, you’ll have the energy for a full-on workout. Other days, a walk or a stretch will do.
The important thing is that you keep moving, keep showing up for yourself—even if it’s in smaller doses. If your schedule is crazy, adjust. If you’re feeling low, do something light. If you don’t have the energy for a full workout, do what you can. It’s okay to scale back when life gets tough. The goal is to stay consistent, not perfect.
Consistency in the Hard Times
When life knocks you down, it’s easy to think that skipping your workouts or putting off your fitness goals is no big deal. But consistency is your safety net. It’s what keeps you moving forward, even when everything else feels like it’s falling apart.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to keep showing up. Some days will be harder than others, but those tough days are the ones that matter most. Those are the days that build resilience, discipline, and strength—not just physically, but mentally as well.
The Secret to Progress: Keep Showing Up
If there’s one takeaway from this, it’s that showing up matters more than anything else. You don’t have to crush every workout. You don’t have to hit every goal perfectly. But you do have to show up. Even on the tough days. Even when you’d rather stay in bed.
Make a deal with yourself: Do at least one thing, every time. Whether it’s one exercise, a walk, or even just a stretch. Keep moving, keep showing up, and over time, you’ll see the progress you’ve made.
Consistency is what turns effort into results. It’s what builds habits that stick. And it’s what will carry you through, even when life throws curveballs your way.
Final Thoughts
Perfection is overrated. Consistency is what really matters. If you can make a commitment to show up for yourself, even when things get tough, you’ll see progress. And that progress, no matter how small, will keep you moving forward.
Remember: It’s okay to have bad days. It’s okay to not hit every workout perfectly. But it’s not okay to quit. So make that deal with yourself—just one exercise, just one step forward. You’ve got this.
Stay strong and keep showing up,
Robert
Founder & Head Coach, RightFit Coaching
P.S. If you’re struggling to find a way to make fitness work for you in the middle of life’s challenges, let’s chat. I’ve been there, and I’m here to help you find what works—even on the tough days.