Baby Steps: A Guide on Building Consistency

By: Alan Perez

My Honest Truth

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the concept of shifting perspectives. I forgot to mention one thing. Depending on your life experiences, shifting your outlook can either be very easy or very difficult. For me, it was a complex concept to grasp. That was until I hit one of my rock bottoms. To reach that state of growth and acceptance, I had to experience what it felt to be at an all-time low. As in most cases, the world kept spinning and I learned from that. Through struggle, reflection, and trial and error, I learned how to harness a better version of myself. One I could be proud of.  

I’ve always prided myself on being a workaholic. There’s something eerily satisfying about staying busy. In high school, I relished the all-nighters. With time, I turned all-nighters into an art. I would wake up, attend school, nap, and then it was go time. Dare I say, I almost miss that sensation of working productively through the night. The world was asleep, and I was awake. Even though it was just for a second, I was able to breathe. 

To this day, I’m in a constant race against the clock. I’m losing, but I love it. As deadlines approach and self-care days appear as mirages, I hope for a day when I can slow down. Today marks April 5th. However, it feels as though it was just last week that I was in Mexico. That was two months ago. Depending on how occupied I keep myself, my perception of time changes. It’s a guilty pleasure that does more harm than good.

When I stay busy, I feel productive. 

If I don’t, the day usually consists of me asking myself: 

What could I have accomplished?

A Rude Awakening

Suddenly, the pandemic hit. Before I knew it, I was faced with my biggest adversary: free time. It affected everyone in their own ways. But for me, it occurred during a formative period in my life. Having just graduated high school, I was looking forward to everything college life had to offer. Again, I was trying to stay busy. I was entering the world of adulthood when faced with an abrupt pause. 

With how much free time it created,  I had to reflect on who I was. At the time, I was a consequence of my own actions. Remember the workaholic Alan from high school? Something I forgot to mention is that he kept himself so busy that he didn't eat. Though part of it could be attributed to the fact that he was a picky eater, food wasn’t in the books for him. There wasn’t any body dysmorphia or anything either. For some reason, food just didn't cross his mind. He would always “eat later.” That’s when the weight started to decline. 

The pandemic was something that sent shockwaves throughout the world. Some people experienced great losses, whilst others had to dwell with the skeletons that lingered in the closet. With how everything unraveled, I am fortunate enough to say we didn't experience any losses. This meant one thing. I was going to be dealing with whatever issues were being ignored. 

As we all know, most places closed down. There were a few that remained open. With how they were organized, fast-food chains prospered in this era. Unaware of it at the time, I would develop an unhealthy relationship with food. Teenage Alan didn't have time to eat. During the pandemic, College Alan had all the time in the world.

Lesson Learned

The biggest takeaway? Crumbl cookies will catch up to you. Before I knew it, I had gained weight. In an attempt to cope, I told myself that I was merely growing up. Which was half true, right? All jokes aside, that era in my life allowed me to find another way to keep my workaholic side content. I had gained weight. I could choose to dwell on it or challenge myself to make something out of this setback. In order to counteract my actions during the pandemic, things would have to change. 

From that point onward, it was a steady journey. With gradual changes and adjustments, I reached a state of self-love. Looking at this current version of myself, I’m thankful for everything I went through. Though some experiences were better than others, each gave a valuable lesson. 

Looking back, I’m made aware of the growth I’ve accomplished in the last few years. Teenage Alan had tunnel vision – a diligence so intense that it shadowed his basic needs. With his mind set on the destination, there was no regard for the journey. Though it’s still a work in progress, I’ve learned how to be kinder to myself. 

What did it take for me to get here? 

Consistency.

Without further ado, here’s my guide on how to make consistency your ally. Though this relates to the idea of losing weight, this can be adapted to fit other aspirations.

How To Build Consistency:

1. Vocalize or Visualize Your Goals

   1. Have you ever heard the phrase: The first step is admitting you have a problem? To some extent, I would have to agree. However, don't feel discouraged. Though it becomes easy to surrender to our problems, it's just as easy to draft solutions. Again, my biggest issue was my unhealthy relationship with food. How to fix that? Work on fostering a better one. 

2. Your Sense of Normalcy

   1. Of the multiple pieces of advice, this could be one of the most important things to remember. If I wanted to lose weight, it was imperative to shift my sense of normalcy. I didn't develop unhealthy habits by skipping one meal or indulging in one cookie. It was the constant repetition and my willingness to accept it as the new normal that did the damage. Consistency can either be your greatest ally or your worst foe.

3. Take It Slow

   1. Following up on Advice #2, you have to be gradual about how you tackle new goals. In my case, I wanted to lose weight. Though I could have gone cold turkey and thrown myself into a 75 Hard, it wasn’t sustainable in the long run. Instead, I started off with gradual steps. First I wanted to get into the gym three times a week. Before I knew it, three turned into five, and then six. As we take things slow and gradually adjust our sense of normalcy, it’s the baby steps that will make it long-lasting. 

4. Find Ways to Reward Yourself 

   1. Once you take the initiative to learn something new, you’ll quickly learn that you can either be your worst critic or your biggest fan. Regardless of which you are, there isn’t anything wrong with finding positive ways to reward yourself. For every fitness-related milestone I reached, I found a positive way to reward myself. Whether it be new gym clothes, energy drinks, or headphones, you have to show yourself some love.

      
      

5. What’s Your End Goal?

   1. Tying in Advice #1, you have to ask yourself what your end goal looks like. For me, I wanted to lose weight. But what happens after I reach the weight or physique I had in mind? Complacency creates the perfect opportunity for old habits to creep back in. Instead, relish in this routine you’ve created and find ways to implement new ones. It was your consistency that got you here. What's next?

Takeaways

Reflecting on my journey, I've realized that consistency is the key to transformation.  Whether dealing with workaholic tendencies or an unhealthy relationship with food, I learned the importance of gradual change, shifting my normal, and rewarding myself along the way. The pandemic provided me with the time to reflect, but it also brought challenges that forced me to address what I had neglected. 

Through trial and error, I found that success requires persistence and the courage to face the unprecedented. While I’m still learning to balance my ambitious drive with self-care, I’ve come to understand that progress is not about perfection. Though I can’t aim for perfection, I can ensure that whatever steps I take are ones that I’m proud of. 

 The future might be unpredictable, but if I continue to focus on small, positive steps, I know I’ll keep evolving. My story is one of many, but I hope it serves as a reminder that growth comes through struggle, patience, and consistency. With this, we can all reach a better version of ourselves.

About the Author:

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Alan Perez is joining the LYF team for the Spring 2025 term. A transfer student from the College of Southern Nevada (CSN), Alan is now pursuing a BA in Journalism at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), with a focus in public relations and advertising. Alan is excited to contribute his skills as a content writer and editor for LYF.