Thursday, December 16, 2010
by Alex Chaple
The idea of consistency is not new or fancy. There are no special exercises involved in consistency and no cutting edge science about nutrition or supplementation which can help you achieve it. However, without consistency one will always fall short of achieving the body that they want and deserve! Consistency is key.
One thing that really gets on my nerves is how easy some people have it! Take my brother for example. He maintains 7% body fat year round and can eat pretty much whatever he likes - potatoes, crisps, chocolate... He even goes out and gets drunk every week and will wake up the next morning looking like he is ready for a body building show (all be it one with a very light weight class - sorry Dom). Then there are training partners that I have had over the years. Some of them were far bigger than me and far stronger than me. Genetically they were far superior and always started out much better than me in the weight room. However, consistency is one tool that I and many others have used to our distinct advantage that has often allowed myself (and of course others) to surpass our blessed counterparts.
No matter what shape you are to begin with, who your parents are or your genetic predispositions, you have the ability to achieve a GREAT physique and fitness level. I believe that a big reason that I have managed to get myself in shape and a lot of the people who have trained with me with great success is pure and simple consistency. While other people binge at the weekend and ruin their first few workouts of the week to come, others are sensible on Saturday night and are able to hit the gym that much harder on Monday morning. While some feel tired and decide to "take it easy" every other workout and lose progress, others give everything in every single session no matter how tired they are. Some people will decide that the cough/runny noise they have makes going to the gym to train "not worth it" and going straight home after work is the better option, while others will suck it up and work as hard as they can because they know it will benefit them in the long run.
I believe it is these little consistencies used on a daily basis that often separates those who achieve greatness from those who don't. All these little sacrifices made daily or weekly will often allow someone who is perhaps not as gifted as someone else to progress far quicker, far more efficiently and often to a greater end! Be consistent and results will follow, I promise.