The 3 C's of Fitness Success

This past year commemorates my 10th year as a personal trainer and fitness professional which denotes a few different milestones for me however; without the 3 C's of Success, I would not be here, able to give away my knowledge, make connections, build relationships, mentor and coach people along the way and navigate the pathway to their goals and more. The one focal point I can say that has helped me with clients that have had success is their level of dedication to fitness, not just for temporary changes but as a lifestyle. Once the lifestyle becomes a part of a clients DNA the results are almost a guarantee, and more a matter of time than a question of if they will happen. 

The focus of this article is to help the reader understand how committed you individually are to fitness in your own personal life. The spectrum of people's individual journey's in fitness is as wide and variable as the Marvel timeline in the new Loki season. There are obviously new people jumping in for the New Years (although, not as many as I believe the rumors insist), then you have the inconsistently consistent casual that strings together a few good months then a dormant season that rivals polar bears. Lastly, there is the grizzled veteran that has weathered the ups and downs in their fitness routine. These veterans show a few traits that most people in the other two categories don't. 

The first C that I'd like to explain is that of Consistency. Consistency is defined as "the act of doing something the same way over time", and in this context we will apply a healthy holistic fitness routine versus outcomes of some of the negative stigmas with fitness routines. When someone first enters into fitness they begin to display some consistency in either good or bad habits that will allow them to set the foundation for a healthy routine (practical habits, individualized nutrition, consistent movement routine, positive social circle and spiritual fulfillment). The other side of that coin constructs the faulty foundation that leads to unhealthy living (bad habits, poor relationships with food, negative exercise stigmas, low social viability and a spiritual void). I believe there is a spectrum of people struggling to get themselves healthy in many of these areas. None of us are a complete project but the goal for optimal health should be to address each and every facet in our daily lives to maintain a sense of holistic health. This phase is where everyone has to start, no matter what their level is, and regardless of how they are now this is where they started. 

The second C is centered around commitment. Commitment is defined as "the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause or activity" which in our focus of fitness can be a healthy commitment or the commitment to some negative habits and tendencies. Just like any relationship, things can become stale and stagnant and stale, especially if we don't consistently check-in on progress towards our goals, update our mindset also continue to seek best practices with an open mind. In my daily practice, I find that so many people are committed to the fad ideals in fitness pushed by content creators masquerading as professionals instead of consistent and proven methods that have been studied and applied to help massive amounts of people see success. Some of the negative fads are crash dieting, prioritizing supplementation over proper nutritional principles, habit hacks and lastly dishonesty in displaying the process. I believe a healthy commitment is not perfect yet, a person attacks one area, one step at a time and builds upon the last. Simple habits that yield results such as 10k steps/day, proper hydration, practical nutrition and consistent sleep (7-9 hrs/night). Commitment to these principles no matter what your goals, will yield better results than fad or temporary gimmicks in the industry. Because of these pitfalls, I feel like most people never get passed these traps and onto the next level of commitment. This phase can sometimes get people stuck here in commitment to bad habits or always needing to recommit and start over based on results or lack-thereof. Don't let misinformation and insecurity stagnate your progress and trap you here.

The last C is the Covenant which in the old days is purely "an agreement" or "a contract". One interview done with the late great Kobe Bryant explaining his summer routines, a period where he was always known to come back better and more complete in his game was described as follows. "I'm not negotiating with myself. I signed that contract with myself...I'm doing it!!!" The Covenant is the most simple in deed but the most difficult pinnacle of focus in fitness to reach, This is where the consistency led to the commitment and finally the commitment led to the covenant with self that now...this is part of the new identity. It becomes a vital part of an individual that their habits are now integral to their foundation and thus, it's not just something to put on because of a facade such as a superficial goal, or a commitment based solely on results, yet part of a new identity and new character traits. The covenant maker is boldly saying "This is who I am!!!"

So...the question to ask ourselves is, "Where am I on this spectrum?" In some areas, you might be solid in other you may be shaky however, the goal is to assess where you are and make a plan to move towards the ultimate goal for you personally. Everyone doesn't want to reach covenant in EVERY facet of their journey. The goal is to understand who and where you are and be realistic about what is required of you to get where you want to go. I wish you blessings on the journey and if I can contribute to your success in any way, please follow, like, share and comment to my posts and follow me along this journey. 

Thank you and Happy New Year, here's to 2024!!!