Consistency.

We all know that " Consistency is key." Yet, staying consistent is something I have a hard time with. It doesn't matter if you want to keep a clutter-free house, or run a marathon, or finishing a project at work. You have to be consistent in your effort to get the mission accomplished. 

How do I stay consistent? 
Have a schedule.  
I set time aside to work out. If I don't, it won't get done. I wish I could say, "I LOVE working out." But that's not entirely true.  I like working out because of how I feel after.  Some days, I get up and do it. Some days are harder. This week, I look forward to the working out because I started a new program Insanity Max 30.   

Anyway, if I set aside time, it gets done.  It is an important appointment with myself.  I also do that with my least favorite chore at home -- cleaning the bathroom. I set a day and time, and commit to it.  

Consistent action means my bathrooms will get cleaned, my husband and kid will get fed and have clean laundry, and I will stay fit and healthy. 



You need to know WHY you are doing it. Have an objective and a plan so you know where to channel your actions/effort/time/energy. This plan needs to speak to your heart. It must be something you want. Lower blood pressure? Get into your skinny jeans? Go up a flight of stairs without panting? Do REAL pushups? Play with your kid?  The more emotionally invested you are in your plan, the more you will remain committed. That means you are more likely to achieve success. 

When I started in December 2015, my plan was to be get over the first 21 days. Then I made bolder plans. I planned to be less conscious in a bathing suit for Summer 2016. I am not talking about a teensy teeny tiny bikini. That's not me. I just want to wear a regular modest tankini and bottom out in open where there are real people. Not just me at home, in front of my husband and kid.  Guess what? I wore my regular tankini over July 4 beach vacation and I was comfy in it. My other plan -- To be comfortable and not camera-shy when people take a picture of the entire me. I always see my teeny head poking out of a big body.  I want to be able to look at a full-length picture of myself and think, "It's ok. I looked ok."  I want to be able to look back at pictures of me (with my son, my future daughter-in-law and their kids) and say, "Look at Grandma!! Leggings were SO IN!!!" If I were camera-shy, I will probably balk at someone taking a picture of my thunder-thighs or encased sausage legs. 

Accountability. 
Staying engaged in challenge groups and various accountability groups I have set up on Facebook helps because I need to be able to tell people, "It can be done!"  (Honestly, it totally can be done. Fitness and nutrition isn't rocket science or neurosurgery.)  It helps me stick with the plan.  My dad is a firm believer in actions. So these accountability groups and challenge groups provide me an outlet to show people what I can do and have done. I am proud of my actions. I am proud that I am up in the mornings to get the job done.  (If you would like to join my challenge groups, feel free to comment below or email me at runchristinarun@gmail.com) 

How do you stay consistent? Is there something that makes it hard for you to stay consistent? What can you implement today to help you stay consistent?

Stoked.

This is the busy time of the year for me. As a speech-language pathologist who works around schools, this is the time where a lot of testings are due, reports to type, IEPs to write, and conferences are held.  I turn into a sugar AND salt fiend during this period of time. I alternate between sugar and salt when I am stressed.

Back in November 2015 (which happens to be another big crazy busy time of the year for me too), I came across some birthday money. Great!! I was going to buy a pair of jeans to accommodate the mom pooch I was still sporting.

Completion of 60-day program Masters Hammer and Chisel

Honestly, it wasn't just baby weight I didn't get rid of. It was baby weight + 3 years of holiday and stress eating + 3 years of infrequent, unsustained fitness routine. At about 150 lbs + some change, I was miserable. I wasn't happy. I was lethargic. I was grumpy. I was conscious of myself. I spent time in the morning trying to find clothes that hide the pooch and the folds or rolls and the muffin top. I was pulling up my pants a lot -- not because they were loose, but because my fat rolls were pushing those pants down. I was not happy.

I was shopping for the MIRACLE jeans to suck it all in, to flatten the belly, to hold down the muffin top. And guess what, that miracle jeans was not in the market that is within my budget. I found this program 21 Day Fix on a few of the working moms groups I was in on Facebook and decided to try it. I mean, what do I have to lose? I have already tried paleo diet, and Whole30, and exercise videos on Youtube. If I just buy another fat jeans, I will have to buy FATTER jeans next year. And I am going to have to buy fatter tops and fatter dresses. I guess, to me, at that time, spending my birthday money on a 21 Day Fix challenge pack gave me more bang for my buck.

Before and after: 1 round of Hammer and Chisel  

I started December 2015, and lost 10 inches off my waist alone when I did my first round. Weight stayed the same.
My second round started in January, and I lost some pounds.
MIRACLE!! Because I didn't put on weight during my first stressful period of the school year.
I did a third round and lost a little more.

Then, I got another program, The Masters Hammer and Chisel and committed to it for 60 days.
Now, I am leaner, and weigh a lot less than before I was pregnant.



I am a believer. I never believe in fad diets. I believe that you have to work hard and reap rewards. You reap what you sow. That's why I decided to be a coach and share this with people.

Message me at runchristinarun@gmail.com if you want to chat. Follow me on Facebook at Traditionally Untraditional.