By Radley West
“You don’t need to be extreme, just consistent.”
When most people think about reaching their fitness goals, they picture big changes, intense training schedules, strict diets, and dramatic transformations. While those stories make great headlines, the truth is that most real success comes from something far less glamorous: consistency.
Consistency is not about perfection. It’s about showing up, doing what you can, and making small improvements over time. Too often, people start strong with a burst of motivation, only to burn out after a few weeks. The ones who make lasting change are the ones who keep showing up, even on the days when motivation is nowhere to be found.
In my years as both an athlete and a coach, I have seen this truth play out countless times. The client who starts by walking for ten minutes a day often builds up to a 5K. The member who swaps one soda a day for water ends up dropping pounds and feeling more energized. Those victories happen not because of massive overhauls, but because of small, steady changes that become habits.
Think of consistency as an investment. Each workout, each healthy meal, each positive choice is like putting a little money into a savings account. On its own, it may not seem like much. Over time, the benefits compound, and suddenly you realize just how far you’ve come.
Another benefit of consistency is resilience. Life will always throw challenges your way. If your routine is built on a foundation of consistent habits, it’s much easier to adapt. You may have to adjust your schedule or scale back temporarily, but you’ll still have the structure in place to keep moving forward.
Consistency also builds confidence. When you prove to yourself that you can keep a commitment, even a small one, you start to believe in your ability to handle bigger challenges. That confidence spills over into every other area of your life, from work to relationships to personal growth.
If you’re trying to make a change, start small. Choose one habit you can commit to daily. It might be walking for ten minutes, stretching before bed, or drinking more water. Once that habit feels natural, add another. This approach is sustainable, and it sets you up for success rather than frustration.
The secret is not to be perfect, it’s to be persistent. Progress is rarely a straight line, but the act of showing up again and again is what ultimately leads to transformation.
Remember, you don’t need to be extreme, just consistent. Small steps, repeated often, can lead to big change.
Radley West is married to Dr. Andrew West and together they own Anytime Fitness Lake Murray and 33/18 Chiropractic Associates. Radley is a gym owner and personal trainer with more than 20 years of experience helping people achieve non-traditional health goals. She and her team approach fitness by teaching clients to build better habits and create sustainable, feel-good fitness and nutrition routines—no need for intense six-pack aspirations (unless that’s your thing).
