The Ultimate Guide to Staying Consistent in Fitness
Hey queen! 💛 If you’ve ever started a fitness routine feeling super motivated, only to fall off track a few weeks later, you’re not alone. Staying consistent is the #1 struggle for so many of us—but guess what? It doesn’t have to be that way. This guide is here to help you build a fitness routine you love, stay consistent, and most importantly, feel amazing in your skin. Let’s do this together! 💪
Try our 2025 New Years Pilates challenge!
Why Consistency is Everything
We’ve all been there—going all-out on a new workout plan or diet, only to burn out and give up. The truth? The trick isn’t in doing one intense workout; it’s in showing up regularly. Think of it like watering a plant. You don’t drown it with a gallon of water once a month and expect it to thrive. You give it small, steady care every day, and that’s when it blooms.
The same goes for your fitness journey. When you focus on consistency over perfection, you build habits that last a lifetime. Plus, consistency makes everything easier. Over time, your body starts to crave movement, and you’ll find yourself looking forward to workouts.
Try our 2025 New Years Pilates challenge!
Listening to Your Body
One of the biggest mistakes people make is pushing too hard, too fast. If your muscles are sore for an entire week after one workout, that’s your body’s way of saying, "Hey, I need time to recover!" While it’s tempting to go all-out every time, that can actually set you back.
When you push to failure too often, your muscles get fatigued, which can make it harder to stay consistent. Instead, listen to your body. Pilates is an incredible way to build strength and tone your muscles without overdoing it. It’s gentle but super effective, making it perfect for any fitness level.
Finding the Right Workout for Your Body
Let’s set the record straight, bestie: cardio isn’t the only way to lose fat or get fit. In fact, one of the most effective ways to change your body composition is by combining cardio with resistance training—and trust me, it’s a game-changer.
1️⃣ Losing Fat vs. Losing Weight
Let’s be real: the scale can be a total liar. When you’re losing fat and gaining muscle, the number on the scale might not change much—but your body will. You’ll notice more definition, look more toned, and clothes will begin fitting better.
The key? Don’t obsess over the number on the scale. Your weight fluctuates naturally (hello, hormones, water retention, and life in general), so focus on how you feel instead. Fat loss and muscle gain = the ultimate glow-up.
Read our guide on how Pilates helps with weight loss.
2️⃣ Strength and Tone
Here’s the tea: if you only focus on losing fat without building muscle, you will actually feel weaker and less energized. And let’s face it, we’re here to feel strong and confident in our skin. 💪
By adding resistance training (like Pilates or weight training), you’ll build lean muscle, which not only makes you feel like a boss girlie but also keeps your metabolism at a healthy rate. Plus, muscle helps create that sculpted, toned look we all love.
Try our Strength x Pilates workouts.
3️⃣ Abs? Say Less!
So, you want six-pack abs? It’s not just about cutting belly fat—it’s about building those core muscles so they’re ready to shine. Pilates is one of my favorite ways to strengthen and define my core because it works every angle, creating that flat, strong tummy look without endless crunches.
Pro tip: Don’t forget that nutrition plays a big role in this too. You can’t outwork a poor diet, but you can fuel your body with love and balance.
Learn more about abs + nutrition in my ultimate abs guide.
4️⃣ The Real Secret: Find What Works for YOU
At the end of the day, it’s about consistency and enjoyment. Whether it’s a sweaty Pilates session, strength training at the gym, or a mix of both, the best workout is the one that you actually want to show up for.
Movement should feel good—not like a punishment. So ditch the “all or nothing” mindset and start focusing on what lights you up. Because when you love your workouts, they love you back.
Takeaway? Cardio, strength, and Pilates each bring something amazing to the table. When you combine them, you’re unstoppable. 💖
The Power of Self-Trust
Here’s a truth bomb: staying consistent isn’t just about sticking to your workouts—it’s about building trust with yourself. Every time you follow through on a promise to yourself, you’re strengthening your inner confidence. Whether it’s completing a workout, paying a bill, or taking out the recycling when you said you would, these small wins add up.
When you don’t follow through, you create something called cognitive dissonance. This is when your actions don’t align with your values or goals, and it creates this nagging feeling of guilt or disappointment. Over time, this can chip away at your self-confidence.
But when you do what you say you’re going to do, you feel empowered, capable, and in control. So start small. If you say you’re going to work out for 10 minutes today, do it. These little wins build momentum, and before you know it, you’ll be showing up for your workouts—and your life—with so much confidence.
Avoiding Burnout
Let’s be real: burnout is no joke, and it’s one of the biggest reasons people give up on their fitness journey. It sneaks up on you when you’re pushing too hard, ignoring your body’s signals, and skipping rest.
Here’s how you know burnout might be creeping in:
- You’re feeling super irritable.
- Chronic fatigue is your new normal (ugh).
- Your creativity feels totally blocked.
- You feel stuck, like you’re spinning your wheels.
- You feel like you just cant do ____ anymore.
Sound familiar? Don’t worry—you’re not alone, and the good news is, you can avoid it.
Keep It Simple
Burnout happens when we try to do too much, too soon. Instead of going all in right away, ease into your routine. Start with 2-3 workouts a week, around 20-30 minutes each. Once that starts to feel easy and manageable, you can slowly add more.
Consistency > Perfection. Showing up a little every week is way better than overdoing it and quitting altogether.
Rest Days Are Essential
This is your friendly reminder that rest days are just as important as workout days. Seriously, your body needs time to recover and rebuild. Rest days are when your muscles actually grow stronger and your energy comes back. Plus, they help keep your mind fresh and motivated. So, ditch the guilty girl mind chatter—rest is productive!
Try some of our guided stretching and meditations.
Fuel Your Body
You’ve gotta eat, my queen! A perfectly-balanced diet is often unrealistic, but do your best to balance carbs/protein/healthy fats. And when you workout consistently, you're going to be a lot more hungry than normal - this is OK! Your body NEEDS fuel. It's like your gas light coming on in your car telling you "hey I need fuel or we're going to break down!"
One of the easiest ways to keep burnout at bay and fuel your body is to eat LOTS of protein. Protein helps your muscles recover and grow, keeps you fuller for longer, and even helps curb those junk food cravings (because who hasn’t demolished a bag of chips after a long day?). Healthy fats like avocado, uncooked olive oil, and coconuts also help to keep you full - and no, eating "fats" doesn't make you "fat," that is a common misconception.
Lastly, and this one is crucial - but don't get restrictive! Keeping unnecessary sugar consumption down will help create a more toned body, a clearer mind, and actually give you MORE energy.
Give Yourself Grace
At the end of the day, your fitness journey isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon. Listen to your body, take breaks when you need to, and remind yourself why you started. The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is to feel strong, confident, and happy in your skin.
Remember: You’re doing amazing, and your body deserves love, not punishment. Take it slow, honor your progress, and keep showing up for YOU. 💖
Mindset Matters
Let’s talk about mindset, bestie, because it’s EVERYTHING when it comes to staying consistent. Fitness isn’t about punishing yourself or trying to “fix” your body—it’s about celebrating what your body can do and how amazing movement can make you feel.
Here are a few mindset shifts that have completely changed the game for me (and I know they’ll help you too):
1️⃣ Celebrate Small Wins
Girl, every little win counts. Finished a 10-minute workout? That’s a win. Chose a nourishing meal instead of fast food? Another win. These small wins might feel tiny in the moment, but trust me, they add up. Progress is built one choice at a time, so celebrate those moments like the queen you are. 👑
2️⃣ Progress Over Perfection
Let’s ditch the all-or-nothing mindset, okay?? It’s not about being perfect every day—it’s about showing up, even when it’s hard. Didn’t finish your full workout? That’s okay. Did 5 minutes instead of skipping it? That’s progress. Life isn’t perfect, and your fitness journey doesn’t have to be either. Just keep moving forward—you’re doing amazing.
3️⃣ Self-Love First
Your body is already strong, beautiful, and capable. Movement isn’t a punishment for what you ate or how you look—it’s a way to show your body love. When you move with gratitude and intention, everything changes. Pilates, a quick stretch, or even a walk becomes a gift to yourself, not a chore.
The Bottom Line
Your fitness journey starts in your mind. When you shift your focus from what you should do to what feels good, consistency becomes so much easier. Celebrate the wins, embrace the progress, and show yourself love every step of the way.
Cycle Syncing: Honoring Your Body Through Every Phase
Did you know your menstrual cycle affects your workouts? By understanding the four phases of your cycle, you can honor your body’s needs, stay consistent, and feel amazing while working with—not against—your body’s natural rhythms. Pilates is a fantastic way to move throughout each phase because it’s adaptable, gentle, and supportive of your unique energy levels.
The Four Phases of Your Cycle and Ideal Workouts
1️⃣ Menstrual Phase (Days 1-5):
This is the phase when your period begins. Hormone levels like estrogen and progesterone are at their lowest, which can lead to fatigue, cramps, and a natural desire for rest.
- How You Might Feel: Low energy, needing comfort and relaxation.
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Ideal Workouts: Gentle Pilates, restorative yoga, light stretching, or even Pilates in bed with dim lighting.
- Focus on slow, flowing movements that help relieve cramps and tension.
- Try deep breathing exercises to relax your body and reduce stress.
Remember: This is the perfect time to listen to your body and give it extra care. Movement is optional, not required!
2️⃣ Follicular Phase (Days 6-14):
After your period ends, your body starts to feel more energized as estrogen levels rise and your body prepares for ovulation. This is often when you’ll feel stronger and more motivated.
- How You Might Feel: Energized, upbeat, and ready to take on new challenges.
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Ideal Workouts: Dynamic Pilates flows, strength-based exercises, or light cardio combined with Pilates.
- Incorporate full-body Pilates workouts to build strength and stamina.
- Try core-focused flows to capitalize on your higher energy levels.
This is a great phase to set fitness goals and experiment with more challenging movements.
3️⃣ Ovulatory Phase (Days 15-17):
Ovulation is the peak of your cycle, and your energy is often at its highest thanks to the surge of hormones like estrogen and luteinizing hormone.
- How You Might Feel: Confident, strong, and ready to push yourself.
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Ideal Workouts: High-energy Pilates sessions, total-body workouts, or combining Pilates with other forms of movement like barre or dance.
- Focus on movements that feel empowering, such as standing Pilates or challenging core exercises.
- Consider social or group workouts to enjoy the confidence boost this phase brings.
Your body is primed for power and intensity, so take advantage of it—just don’t overdo it!
4️⃣ Luteal Phase (Days 18-28):
As your body prepares for your next cycle, progesterone rises, and you may start to feel a dip in energy, especially in the later part of this phase. It’s important to slow down and honor your body’s natural shift toward rest.
- How You Might Feel: A mix of energy early in the phase, transitioning to lower energy and more introspection.
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Ideal Workouts: Gentle Pilates flows, mat-based exercises, or restorative practices.
- In the early luteal phase, try moderate Pilates sessions that include strength and flexibility.
- As you approach your period, shift to calming stretches, light flows, or relaxation-focused movements.
This is also a great time for mindfulness practices, such as incorporating affirmations or meditative Pilates flows into your routine.
Try our 28-day Cycle Syncing Pilates Challenge.
The Key to Cycle-Synced Movement
The beauty of Pilates is its flexibility—it can be adapted to your body’s needs in every phase. By syncing your workouts with your cycle, you’ll not only feel more in tune with your body but also avoid burnout, stay consistent, and enjoy movement in a way that feels good.
Remember: It’s not about pushing yourself to the max; it’s about creating a sustainable routine that honors your unique journey.
Try our 28-day Cycle Syncing Pilates Challenge.
Building a Sustainable Routine
Let’s get practical—how do you actually create a fitness routine you’ll stick with?
- Start Small: Begin with short workouts (10-30 minutes) a few times a week. Build up from there as it becomes a habit.
- Schedule It: Treat your workouts like appointments that you can't reschedule. Block time on your calendar and make it non-negotiable.
- Set Yourself Up for Success: Lay out your workout clothes the night before or keep your mat in a visible spot. Small nudges can make it so much easier to show up for yourself.
- Blend Movement Into Your Day: Take the stairs, go for a walk during breaks, do calf raises while washing dishes, or try standing stretches while working. Every little bit counts.
- Find What You Love: Whether it’s Pilates, running, dance cardio, or strength training, choose a workout you genuinely enjoy and feel good doing.
Try our 21-day Pilates routine.
Why Pilates is Perfect for Consistency
Pilates is truly a game-changer when it comes to staying consistent. Here’s why:
- Gentle Yet Effective: Pilates strengthens and tones your body without leaving you feeling drained.
- Perfect for Busy Days: Most Pilates workouts are 20-30 minutes, making them easy to fit into your schedule.
- Mind-Body Connection: Pilates helps you stay present and focused, reducing stress and improving your overall well-being.
Whether you’re pairing it with other workouts or doing it as a standalone routine, Pilates helps you build strength, flexibility, and confidence.
Your Next Step
Ready to take action? I’ve created a 21-day Pilates challenge to help you kickstart your journey. Inside, you’ll find a 1-Week Pilates Plan designed to tone your muscles, build strength, and keep you consistent—all while feeling amazing in your skin.
💖 Get a FREE month when you sign up before Jan 6: CLICK HERE.
Final Thoughts
Queen, staying consistent isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing up, trusting yourself, and finding joy in the process. Whether you’re doing Pilates in bed during your period or crushing a full-body workout, every step forward is progress. You’ve got this, and I’m here cheering you on every step of the way. Let’s make this your best year yet! 💛