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Extreme vs. Consistent

Writer's picture: Chris BatesChris Bates

Many times, when we start a new journey, we want to dive in head first and change everything about our current behaviors and commit 1000 and crazy percent to doing this new thing. This is obviously extreme behavior, and the problem is, it's usually not sustainable.




"A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence."

- Jim Watkins


We know that great things have been done with consistency, but we get so caught up in our fast paced life, where we think everything should be done in an instant, that we forget about the power of persistence.


We can be super intense immediately for a short period of time, and it may seem to make a big impact initially. But that intensity is not sustainable for any amount of time. Sustainable behavior is build on small changes that are added in on a regular basis, until they become habit. Remember, the majority of our daily behaviors are done out of habit. So, it is important to build good habits so they then, can build us.


"Long term consistency beats short term intensity"

- Bruce Lee


Bruce Lee may be known as one of the most intense martial artists/actors the world has ever seen. But even he understood the value of consistency.


Some new clients start with me on Personal Training and Nutrition, and they immediately say "Ok, I threw away all my junk food and bought all health food! How much should I eat of each thing and how often and ..... " And the list goes on. As I appreciate the intensity, I can't help but wonder if they have ever eaten or behaved like this before. If not, it seems unlikely that they will be able to sustain this new lifestyle.


I tell everyone that I will watch their nutrition for a while and see how they normally eat. Then, we can slowly introduce some new things (not immediately take things away). Taking familiar food items away abruptly causes a void. Voids have a need to be filled. I find that if we can just add in some more healthy items, slowly and steadily, then the focus is on those healthy items. Once the old junk food items are no longer in the lime light, they tend to start to fade away naturally. This is sustainable behavior. This is how lives are changed. We build a lifestyle by building new habits, focusing on the positive things we want, and allowing old things to fall away.


Let me know what your experiences are with "dieting" or any other food issues you have encountered, how you were challenged, and how you made better decisions.


- Chris

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CHRIS BATES —
CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER

CERTIFIED FITNESS COACH

CERTIFIED NUTRITIONIST

MENSA MEMBER

SPIRITUAL GROUP LEADER

LIFE COACH

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