Is Consistency a Problem Goal?

“I just want to get in a consistent routine “ “It’s so hard to be consistent “ I hear this in every nutrition consultation. And it’s true. It’s hard to be consistent. AND it doesn’t matter nearly as much as we think it does. Long term, when you’re in your 60s and trying your maintain mobility and strength, there’s a greater case for consistency in exercise and nutrition. And you may also have more time. But it’s sad to see women get demoralized because they don’t walk every morning or eat the ideal breakfast. “ I only walked one morning this week “ instead of “I walked one morning and deep cleaned the house before my in laws came and hauled 300 pounds of groceries in and out of the car” One walk a week is better than none. One walk a week reminds you how nice it is to be out in the morning air alone. It reminds you why you want to do this even if you haven’t figured out the logistics. One walk a week is not a failure of consistency; it’s a demonstration of your commitment to figuring things out. Maybe you realize that you’d rather be prepping dinner or reading a novel. Maybe you hate being out in the cold and you really like walking mid morning when both you and the kids need a break. Years ago a student mentioned that his mom gave them smoothies and a 1-hour break in the middle of every morning. “She needs a break by then and we’re hungry and after the smoothies we go play outside for an hour “. Most of us think of morning as golden time - it seems more efficient and seems to go more slowly - and therefore we should dedicate it all to our children. But what if we took some golden time for a walk? Maybe you rotate which kid comes along, to change the dynamics and simplify for the one supervising. Maybe you’re a teacher at your kids school so your day starts early and goes long. Can you sit outside to grade during your free period? Eat lunch outside even if you don’t feel up for walking? Order groceries for pickup on the way home? Journal ? Let’s reframe our relationship with consistency. Studies about exercise show significant benefits in just a couple of days per week. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good enough. To join our Moms Club, enroll in classes, and find great ideas for ladies with full days, visit brightfamilies.com

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