The Importance of Consistency in Fitness

I read something the other day that really struck me, and I want to share it with you.

Fitness trainers and people, in general, always praise consistency over anything else—as do I.

I think consistency beats motivation by a mile. But there is one thing that most people don’t realize, and it can completely kill consistency. This issue is the reason behind so many failed resolutions and abandoned fitness goals.

Let’s talk about it.

Understanding the Negative Streak

When we start something new, we aim to do it as many days as possible so that it eventually becomes a habit. You’ve probably heard that it takes 66 days to create a habit—I swear by this timeframe.

The goal is simple: make the habit feel like second nature. When that happens, doing it daily becomes effortless, and quitting feels almost impossible.

But here’s the catch: those 66 days are often the hardest to stick with. Why? Because you might become a victim of what I call the “negative streak.”

What Is the Negative Streak?

During the 8-week period of habit-building, your mind can play tricks on you. Some mornings, you’ll wake up with a dozen excuses not to do the thing you’re trying to build into your routine. If you give in and skip a day, you’ve broken the streak.

Missing one day isn’t ideal, but it’s not catastrophic. The real danger comes when you miss multiple days in a row, falling into a negative streak. Suddenly, skipping your habit becomes the new normal, and getting back on track feels like climbing a mountain.

The Benefits of Rest Days

Here’s a counterintuitive truth: missing a day might actually help your progress.

Taking a rest day gives your body a chance to recover and your mind a chance to reset. Sometimes, it even reignites your motivation. That small twinge of guilt you feel after a day off? Use it to fuel your next session.

But there’s a big difference between taking one rest day and slipping into a negative streak. When you miss multiple days, you risk undoing all the effort you’ve put in so far. The habit you’re trying to build starts to feel less urgent, and that’s where many people falter.

Building Lasting Habits

So, how can you avoid the negative streak while still giving yourself the breaks you need?

My tip: schedule your rest days intentionally. Missing a day isn’t as bad as you think; in fact, it’s a crucial part of avoiding burnout. Use rest days as a tool to make those 66 days more manageable.

For me, having a rest day each week helps reset my body and brain. It’s a chance to recover, reflect, and come back stronger. Over time, you might find you don’t even want a break—but that takes practice and consistency.

By planning your rest days, you’ll avoid falling into a negative streak. Instead, you’ll be building habits that last longer and work better than you ever imagined.

Your Next Step: Take a moment now to think about how you can incorporate rest days into your routine. Whether it’s once a week or once a month, make it part of your plan. Your future self will thank you.

Love,

YaslenXOXO