Let's Start a Streak

Consistency can be very powerful. More than anything else, it emphasizes the idea of creating (or breaking) new habits through small actions over time.

Consistency can be helpful, but it can also be motivating. When it takes the form of a streak, consistency is an underrated way to get your blood pumping again. Keeping a streak alive, even for a short time, is an instant power boost. It breeds confidence, builds momentum and puts you on the winning side again if you’re starting to feel yourself slide.

Some people gravitate toward streaks. They get a rush out of seeing how long they can go without drinking soda and a sense of accomplishment from exercising for 60 days in a row. Carole Lewis has a great streak going of logging her food on My Fitness Pal for 313 days in a row.  These people do well with daily streaks.

Other people are a little more wary of streaks. The idea of doing something every day can be intimidating and stressful to some. That’s okay. Start a smaller streak.  Something weekly, such as “I will walk 3 times a week every week for 20 weeks.”

If you’re feeling a little unmotivated, or you want a jumpstart, or maybe you just want to set a challenge for yourself, choose a small streak today and add it to your schedule. The more consistent you can be, the more you will see results!

Starting your own streak:

• Set a goal for your streak. A specific number is more clear and often more motivating than leaving it open-ended.
• If you break your streak, don’t get discouraged. Just try to outdo yourself next time. Streaks aren’t about perfection. They’re about doing better.
• Remember to reward yourself along the way as you reach streak milestones, and especially when you reach your goal or personal best streak.
• Streak in public. Just by telling others what your streak is, you create some positive peer pressure to follow through. Plus it gives others the opportunity to help.
• Start off with something you know you can succeed with, but don’t already do regularly. Think of a small habit you’d like to make or break. 

Ideas for your streak:

• Small bits of exercise.  Forget the "all or nothing" mentality when it comes to exercise. Fitness does not live or die by 60-minute workouts; there is middle ground. Short spurts of exercise, when they accumulate, have been shown to share similar benefits of longer workouts.  Resolve to do 15 minutes of exercise every day for 3 weeks or two 15-minute exercise breaks every day for 3 weeks.
• Eat Breakfast – Eat breakfast every day for 15 days.  Plan ahead.
• Work out with weights 3 days a week.  Set the days ahead of time.  If you don’t have weights at home, use canned veggies or full water bottles.
• No Soft Drinks for 15 days. 
• Nothing Fried for two weeks.
• No Sugar for three weeks.
• Don’t take the elevator all week or see how long you can go.  

Who wants to streak!  Let's do it!

Comment below and share your streak.