Unmasking The Myth Of Consistency

Hello Hello Hello and Welcome to episode number 57 of the Wellness 4 Women Show

Unmasking the Myth of Consistency

Ok ladies pop on your lab coat on I am starting with a mini science lesson. I promise there is a point to it.

A little gentle dive into how our brains work.

So, it's a fact our brains love, I mean LOOOOVE a bit of black-and-white thinking.

Why?

Because it reduces the amount of brain energy it takes to process information.

Doesn't that on the face of it sound fantastic.

The ability to make quick decisions that save time and energy when presented with difficult situations, problems or questions.

Bish..bash...bosh!

Black and white thinking can make us think like we have total clarity about our thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

• We think this or that.
• We feel this or that.
• We are doing this or that.

We may think we are more likely to stick to our convictions if we view the world in terms of absolutes rather than shades of grey.

• I am either on plan or off plan.
• Eating for my hunger or not eating for my hunger.
• Drinking my water or not drinking my water.
• Moving my body or not moving my body.

That certainty of knowing where we stand can feel great in one sense as we have less thinking to do.

It all sounds so easy.

However...

The downside is that this type of thinking can also at times lead to upset when our favourite saboture judgement comes along for the ride:

'I am bad because I didn't eat on plan'

'I am lazy because I did not move my body'

What sounds like a simple matter-of-fact statement can lead us astray from effective solutions or even the truth if we accept these thoughts as categorically true without question.

This little bit of science is really handy to know when we dive into the main topic today of consistency. Specifically the myth of consistency.

Super quick intro as usual for those who don't know me I am Faye Casement. I lost over 70lbs by ditching traditional diet methods and advocate work on weight loss with love and I give women the tools and support to build their own unique successful weight loss journey without points, calories or fad methods. Relevant links are in the description.

As usual, let me know what your take away are from this episode in the Wellness 4 Women Facebook Group? Leave a #gem plus your comment. Likewise got a question the group is the place to be for a private community and support.

So, when it comes to weight loss, many women will often say they have an issue with consistency. AKA I just can't stick to this bloody 'diet'!

It has been ingrained in us over our years of dieting to think we are failing that we are not being consistent if we don’t stick to the diet... the one particular plan or path we are following at the time.

Even in my own journey, there were and still are times even though I was working on weight loss with love when I would create 'diet rules' out of the program I was following and would mentally beat myself for not 'sticking' to them.

How many times has the statement 'I fell off the wagon' or 'I went off track' been uttered by a dieter?

How often has the Shit or bust mentality crept into your week.

How does that make you feel?

Do you sit there thinking about or worrying about being consistent? Wondering you just can't get your self together?

This is what I want to look at today.

A myth in need of busting.

The myth of 'needing' to be consistent in your approach to weight loss.

In my opinion, is just that—a myth and I am going to share why.

What if true consistency is not about sticking to one specific plan?

What if consistency is not really the issue with why you are not losing weight?

What if the real consistency you want to aim for is consistency in the destination, but not necessarily the path to sustainable weight loss?

Let’s take a closer look at why consistency is key, but not necessarily in the way you think.

What does consistency mean to you?

As with anything in my world this is about YOU. You are unique and this needs to be honoured if you are going to find sustainable and lasting weight loss. So we start with gathering awareness.

So grab a pen and paper, pause the video/podcast if you need to and ask yourself. What does consistency mean to you?

Roll back few years ago before my weight loss journey and when dieting my answers would have been.

• Consistency was about doing the diet I was on 100% all or nothing.
• Didn't stick to my calories? FAILED
• Went over my points? FAILED
• Didn't go to the gym? FAILED
• Following the rules.
• I must follow the rules or I won't lose weight?
• I have to track everything I eat.
• Not wavering from the plan.
• I have to eat a 1/3 plate of veg
• I can't eat bread

Consistency equalled perfection.

Does this sound familiar?

Being perfect with the aim of the game.

These are just some examples and I am sure you can fill the paper with your own perceptions of what consistency means to you.

That perceived need and desire for consistency turns to perfection for most people.

It's black and white thinking at its best.

Next question:

How does that make you feel?

If you are thinking things like consistency is about doing the diet 100% all or nothing.

I have to follow the rules.

I must not waver from the plan.

I have to eat 1/3 plat of veg.

I can only have 2 slices a bread a day.

I have to count my points.

How does it make you feel?

You may have periods where you feel determined, motivated, in control but you may also have moments where you feel overwhelmed, frustrated, resentful, restricted and anxious.

Tell me in the chat, does this sound familiar?

Does it make you feel overwhelmed, frustrated, restricted?

It did to me before I started to ditch the diet rules and set out on a weight loss journey with love.

Thinking of consistency as needing to be perfect was exhausting and draining.

What then happens when you got of the proverbial track? When you fall of the wagon? When you 'break' plan and protocol? and you think and feel these things?

What actions do you take?

Wooo wooo... all aboard the thought spiral express to f'it town!

Stopping at overeating, intrusive thoughts, food urges, arguments with partners, self sabotage behaviours, and a burning desire to quit.

This my friends is not a place I want you to be and what I help the women in my program realise this is NOT where sustainable weight loss lies.

This constant striving for consistency and perfection will just lead to disappointment and frustration and that will impact your results.

So it's time to start challenging that thought of needing to be perfectly consistent.

It's time to start challenging the black-and-white thinking that can occur around weight loss.

The real consistency you want to aim for is consistency in the destination, but not necessarily the path.

This type of consistency will lead to food freedom, sustainable weight loss and an inner confidence that will have you embracing your body and life.

So we want to work on ditching the need to be perfect and embrace consistency with love!

Do you need the road map for weight loss without the diet rules? If so make sure you check out the links in the description for how you can work with me.

When I think about being consistent now it is a different story.

It is about trying my best and challenging myself with love to do what I set out to do.

It is working on repeatable actions that over time lead to me getting to the goal I am aiming for but not beating myself up if I don't achieve them.

I do not view consistency as one thing or one method. I continue to use the tools I teach to work on a method that fits my life as it evolves and I seek to give myself grace whilst I go through that process.

How do I feel?

I feel driven. I want to do the things I set out to do, I want to find and take repeated actions that get me to my goals and I want to be flexible about it.

This to me is about exploring consistency through freedom.

I feel free and so I am more likely to take the actions that will keep up the momentum.

Will it always work? No, but then we apply loving curiosity and off we go again... destination... consistent doable loving actions.

Are You Saying I Should Ditch Trying To Form Habits?

Short answer 'No'.

Working on forming habits and rituals are powerful tools when it comes to reaching our goals and they can help to create consistency in our lives, which can be incredibly helpful when embarking on a weight loss journey.

But what I am saying is do you have to follow the same routine every single day? No!

We are on the search of sustainability and more joy so if they feel good keep them, if you start to feel bored or you find them monotonous. Try mixing things up by trying different things.

I see a lot of fitness and diet types who say do the hard thing.

You have all sorts of crazy weight loss and fitness programs out there.

Can you do them?

Can you do the hard?

Of course you can.

Can you do it forever?

Likely no. So then what?

It's all about finding what works best for you and what keeps you motivated and engaged with your unique program.

The Bottom Line here is that consistency is key when it comes to reaching any goal but it doesn't mean that you need or should stick with one exact routine forever. This why I love intuitive style eating as it is so flexible and scientifically proven to be sustainable.

Plus you have all the mindset tools to start letting go of that well-known zapper of joy 'self-judgement'.

Conclusion

So remember, consistency isn't about following one particular plan forever; it's about finding a direction and sticking with it until you reach where you want to be in terms of health and wellness.

Challenge yourself by trying out different routines while still maintaining focus on your ultimate goal.

The key is dedication and commitment to who you want to be and become, getting support, and working on doing it with love and anything is possible!

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Categories: : Weight loss