Whether it’s nutrition or exercise, people are always looking for the next best thing that will help them achieve their goal. The quick fix – the fastest results.

Unfortunately, this never works long term as the best choice is normally far beyond what we normally do and as such becomes unsustainable. This results in a lack of consistency, which is at the heart of achieving results.

So, if you are trying to achieve results and move closer to a healthier lifestyle, ask yourself not what is the best way, but how you can be more consistent and make a BETTER choice than yesterday or last week.

Here are some examples of how we can change our thought process and aim for a more manageable and realistic change, which is likely to be sustainable and better – not perfect:

Instead of what’s the best exercise for fat loss? Think how can I move more than I currently do?

Instead of what’s the best diet for fat loss? Think what would make my current diet better?

Instead of I need to cut out chocolate, think how can I reduce the amount of chocolate I eat?

Instead of I’m supposed to drink three litres of water a day, think how can I increase my water intake?

Instead of I need to get protein in every meal, think what protein could I eat with breakfast every day?

Instead of I need to stop weekend binge drinking, think can I reduce my alcohol at the weekends?

Instead of I need to go to the gym three times a week, think can I increase my gym usage compared to last week?

Instead of I need to stop buying junk food, think can I reduce how much junk food I eat?

Instead of I need to stop going out to eat, think can I make healthier choices when I do go out?

As you’ll see, changing the way we approach our thinking towards habit-change can have a massive effect on how easy the changes are, which then results in how likely we are to achieve that change.

Aiming for the best or perfect is not sustainable and will likely result in failure. As such we will constantly feel like a failure because we are always setting the bar too high.

Aiming for changes that are BETTER than they were will make them more realistic and more likely to succeed. This produces a positive ‘can-do’ success mentality which, in turn, results in greater consistency and better long-term results.

Joe Newbold

Personal trainer at mypremcoach,

Premier Fitness Training, Hemyock