Why Consistency Matters

When I was in high school, I was a member of the marching band, specifically the color guard. Every summer, before school was back in session, the band would gather during summer break and practice. Practice went on for weeks before school started and continued throughout the football season.

The band members learned the music, and the color guard created flag routines to match the beat. After a few weeks, everyone was assigned a spot on the field.

Those spots were never stationary. Each person would move from yard line to yard line, weaving together in what felt like a giant, carefully choreographed dance. We had to know exactly where we were going and when to move, all while playing music or twirling flags, making sure every step and every spin lined up with the rhythm.

I can still hear the assistant director shouting out, “Anticipate! Anticipate! Anticipate!” He wanted us to think one move ahead. If one person missed their timing, it was noticeable from the bleachers, and if timing was off, the whole performance fell apart.

You might be wondering what this has to do with nutrition. Let me explain.

Back then, we showed up regularly. We learned new routines every summer. We practiced the same movements over and over again. We were consistent, and that consistency paid off. It’s what led to some really cool opportunities (like marching through Disney and performing for the Canadian Football League).

Consistency is how change happens or doesn’t.  

It doesn’t matter whether you are trying to lose weight, build better habits, get stronger, run farther, or memorize a field routine. What matters is that you are consistently working toward change and consistently making choices that align with your goals (in a sustainable way).  

Let’s say Shelly (a fictional example) wants to lose weight and improve her eating habits. She decides to pack a healthier lunch instead of going through the drive-thru. If Shelly does this most days, week after week, and then month after month, she’ll likely start to see results.

But if she occasionally packs a healthy lunch while still relying on the drive-thru most days, the outcome probably won’t change, because her most consistent behavior is the one keeping her stuck.

It’s what we do most often that determines the outcome.

Consistency usually starts with habits. Most of us don’t debate whether to brush our teeth in the morning or before bed; we just do it. We wake up at roughly the same time, take the same routes, and follow familiar routines without much thought.

When it comes to weight loss, consistency may require more conscious effort at first. You’re asking your brain to do something new. Slip-ups will happen, and that’s okay. You’re not failing; you’re learning (remember, there is no failure, only feedback).

Interestingly, habit loops (the same kind that keep us stuck) can also work in our favor. Instead of removing or fighting a habit, you attach a healthier behavior to a trigger that already exists.

Not sure what a habit loop is? You can read more about it here

Ideally, the trigger is something you already do consistently (or even a reminder on your phone). The behavior is the action you want to repeat, and the reward is the consistency that moves you closer to your goal.

Using Shelly as an example: If she wants to rely less on the drive-thru, she might pack her lunch right after dinner while she’s already in the kitchen. Her habit loop would look like this:

Finished eating dinner → packs lunch for tomorrow → eats a healthier lunch → moves closer to her weight-loss goal

And this is the part I want you to remember:

Consistency isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up again and again, even when it feels boring, inconvenient, or imperfect. It’s about anticipating your next move and setting yourself up for success before life gets hectic.

Consistency leads to confidence, discipline, and lasting results. So when I hear my old band director yelling, “Anticipate! Anticipate! Anticipate!” I think about nutrition and my health, and I hear “Consistency. Consistency. Consistency.”

Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.