Consistency Beats Perfection: Why Keeping Moving Matters More Than Never Missing A Workout..

Have you ever found yourself thinking...

"I've missed my workout this week... I may as well wait until Monday and start again."

If you have, you're definitely not alone.

It's something I hear all the time, and if I'm honest, I've had those thoughts myself over the years.

But can I take a little pressure off you?

At this time of year especially, routines often go a little bit out of the window. Holidays, family visits, grandchildren, BBQs, weekends away, long walks in the sunshine... life is just a bit different, isn't it?

And that's absolutely OK.

One thing I never want you to do is feel guilty if you miss a workout.

In fact, it's much more important that you listen to your body than force yourself through a session when you're exhausted, or skip a beautiful evening walk because you thought you should be exercising.

The goal has never been perfection.

It's simply to keep moving.

That movement might be a strength session.

It might be Pilates.

It might be walking the dog, pulling a few weeds in the garden, hoovering the house, dancing around the kitchen while the dinner is cooking or getting up from your desk every half an hour for a little stretch.

It all counts.

The truth is, our bodies are designed to move.

Not necessarily to do a structured workout every single day, but certainly not to stay in one position for hours on end.

I often describe movement as being a bit like giving your joints a little squirt of WD40!

The more regularly we move them, the smoother and happier they tend to feel.

It's one of the reasons I designed Flexpress the way I did.

Yes, I love seeing everyone live each week because, for many people, having that appointment in the diary is exactly what keeps them accountable.

But I also know that life doesn't always stick to a timetable.

Sometimes the best workout is the replay after dinner.

Sometimes it's first thing the following morning.

Sometimes your body is asking for a gentle walk instead of lifting weights.

And sometimes...

What it really needs is rest.

One of the healthiest habits we can develop in midlife is learning to ask ourselves a simple question:

"What does my body need today?"

The answer won't always be the same.

Some days you'll feel full of energy and ready for a strength session.

Other days a gentle mobility session or a walk in the fresh air will feel just right.

The important thing isn't that every day looks the same.

It's that we keep coming back.

Because missing one workout isn't what stops us making progress.

Giving up altogether is.

That's why I always say...

Consistency beats intensity.

Not because we never miss a workout, but because we never stop coming back.

Some weeks you'll do every session.

Some weeks life will get in the way.

That's just real life.

So be kind to yourself.

Listen to your body.

Move in whatever way feels right that day.

And remember...

Your body doesn't expect perfection.

After all, none of us are perfect!

It just loves movement.

A little thought to leave you with...

Instead of asking yourself,

"Did I exercise today?"

Try asking,

"Did I move today?"

Sometimes that one small change in mindset is all it takes to keep building healthy habits that last a lifetime.

Thank you for reading and watch this space for details of 'The Morning Movement Club' coming very soon. It will help you build a pattern of regular movement and give you some simple ideas of what to do....

Alison x