Why Your Workouts Aren't Working (Even If You Think They Are), Pt. 2

Consistency is key when it comes to exercise. But what if you’re consistent and still don't see results?

Worse yet, what if you think your efforts are helping and they're really not (or at least not as much as they should)?

There's a good chance one of these two common mistakes is the root of your problem...

(If you missed Part 1, start there first to make sure you aren't missing a key element in your exercise routine.)

Constant Routine

Doing the exact same workout all the time is a terrible idea.

Unless, of course, you’re perfectly content with everything about yourself — you have no desire to improve your health, fitness, physique, stamina (“ahem,” say the ladies), or even the amount of time it takes you to sprint from your tv to the fridge and back during a commercial.

If you’re all good, feel free to maintain the status quo by doing the same thing every day.

If you’re imperfect and looking to improve in any way, you need progress.

For weight lifting, sometimes that’s lifting heavier, or lifting lighter for more reps. Sometimes it just means swapping exercises for awhile. There are so many different ways to progress.

And I’m talking to you, too, cardio enthusiasts and group fitness class junkies.

If you run 5-7 miles every time you go out, even if it still feels difficult, your body has adapted to it and you’re not improving anymore.

Group fitness classes generally don’t put any thought into progressing from week to week or month to month. It’s a good sweat session, but if that’s all you do, your body adapts to those calories you’re burning and you won’t lose any more weight.

It doesn’t matter the type of exercise — if you do the same thing all the time, even if you can “really feel it,” it’s not working.

Constant Variation

The opposite approach, but equally as big a mistake, is always doing something different.

This can take one of two forms: program hopping, or not having a program.

The sad thing is, you might be doing great workouts, but you never do the same thing long enough to get results.

It takes months to get real results from any program. We make people commit to a minimum of 6 months with our online coaching. Because it takes at least that long to get real, lasting results. (Read How Long Does it Take to Get in Shape)

You can get great results in less time, but we refuse to make money off people by promising quick results that you’ll likely lose after you finish your program. There are plenty of other coaches who do that. We’re not one of them.

No matter who you work with, you need a good combination of consistent routines with continual progression.

If your problem is not knowing how to workout in the first place, check out our "Home Workout for Beginners (Get in Shape in 20 Minutes a Day)".

The Challenge

It’s mind-boggling how difficult it is to give up our own way of doing things. So difficult, in fact, some people spend their entire lives not getting the results they want, but never changing their approach.

I have a 3-step challenge for you:

1. Take an honest look at your workout routine and decide if it’s really working. Don’t decide based on how difficult it feels, or how sore you get, or how many minutes you’re in the gym. Decide based on whether you’re seeing the changes you want to see.

2. Decide how you’re going to improve (for help, email me).

3. Stick with it for 3 months.

It WILL be a challenge. Improving yourself is never easy, no matter what you’re doing. But it can be done.

Bonus Step 4. Leave a comment and tell me about the decision you made.

If you missed it, go back and read Why Your Workouts Aren't Working (Even If You Think They Are) Part 1.