Photo by Ted C.
I have been in an on and off again relationship with consistency when it comes to two things since 2002: leading a healthy and fit lifestyle and writing.
Let’s examine my dysfunctional, inconsistent relationship with health and fitness that I am currently in the process of repairing. Since 2002 I have been a member of six gyms: two private and three franchises. I am currently a member of LA Fitness. I have also tried almost every diet/eating lifestyle to be named: vegan, vegetarian, pescetarian, no beef or pork, no carbs after 7p.m., and Paleo. I am currently on my third go round with Weight Watchers. Over the course of fifteen years, I have lost and regained the same 45-50lbs. I lost weight every time I allowed myself to be a part of the ménage with diet and exercise. This threesome worked EVERY TIME regardless of what diet I followed! Despite success, I always found myself quitting because I had a cheat meal, cheat day, or even a cheat week especially when I didn’t give 100% on the fitness side. I’d quit cold turkey like someone who’s ability to quit smoking cigarettes or watching porn was a matter of life or death. I’d quit what I was doing even though it was beneficial to my health, self-esteem, snatched waistline, you name it*. This led to the abyss of Hot Cheetos, Slurpees, pizza and chilling on the couch until I had an epiphany. Do you know how many epiphanies I’ve had about getting back in the gym and eating better? Like really, it’s quite ridiculous. I had my most recent epiphany somewhere right after Memorial Day; I started working out again in the beginning of June. In regards to eating, I was trying to do the Paleo/low-carb thing, but I just couldn’t. If I feel like I can’t have something, I’ll want it more. Therefore, I’m back on Weight Watchers. So far so good.
Besides being the fittest version of myself, one of my goals is to write a book. That’s wonderful you say. It would be wonderful if I could sit down and finish one of the four books I’ve started. That’s correct; I’ve started FOUR books. Let that sink in. The only one I have an excuse for not finishing is my first novel because my laptop was stolen back in 2007 which is where the manuscript was saved. I was even in a writing critique group for the second book, and two of the ladies from the group are currently published authors! Me? Nah. I’ve just been out here binge watching shows that some focused writer took the time to share with the world all while eating my chips and thinking man, why didn’t I write this? Well, we know the answer to that. If I had set aside dedicated writing time, maybe I would be watching my own show on TV or taking pictures with Auntie O as she tells the world about my book. If only I was consistently putting all the stories in my head on paper or my Google Drive<MAJOR SIDE EYE TO MYSELF>.
Consistency will stab you in the back if you betray her. She is the one we love to hate. We love her because she causes us to achieve our goals and pushes us towards success after success**. We hate her because she causes us to become disciplined and with discipline comes sacrifice of things or people that we may have become accustomed to being in our lives. If we betray her awesomeness, she will slap us with a complacent, unfulfilled life of fatassedness*** and wasted potential. I know that may be a bit dramatic but that is where I will end up if I don’t get my act together and show consistency the respect she deserves.
Part of the reason for this post and this blog in general is to work on my consistency. I am great at starting a lot of stuff. The consistency and discipline to finish what I start is what I am working towards improving.
I know that I am not the only one out there who has betrayed consistency at some point in time. It may not have been with an order of chili cheese fries, but maybe it was with seventeen shows on Netflix, a bottle of wine, a car, him or her. Ask yourself if that person or thing is worth it? That’s the million dollar question. I can tell you that there is not one bacon cheeseburger, slice of pizza or cupcake that is worth my goals. It is really up to me to do everything in my power to achieve my fitness and writing goals. All I have to do is be consistent. I don’t think that’s too much to ask of myself.
~Selah
*You name it: Every time I proofread this piece, I couldn’t help but sing that part in my best Shirley Caesar voice. Sad.
**Disclaimer: If you are someone who is consistently an a&*hole, unreliable, or lazy, none of the success that comes with consistency applies to you. Carry on.
***Fatassedness: I thought I was the only one who used this word. However, it was defined on UrbanDictionary.com as “fatty ass, being fat” by Judy in December of 2004. Yay, Judy!
