The Real Fitness Shortcut

There’s something about watching the Boston Marathon that just hits different. The grit, the determination, the joy, the pain—it’s all out there, mile after mile. And it’s the ultimate reminder that no one wakes up one morning and just casually runs 26.2 miles.

That kind of accomplishment doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built on one thing: Consistency.

People are always looking for a shortcut when it comes to health and fitness. When you’re a trainer at a dinner party, after someone feigns embarrassment over their cocktail or appetizer choice, (for the record, I’m not judging) they inevitably ask: “If I could just do one thing…” and my answer has always been: “Sorry—there isn’t just one thing.”  

But maybe… there actually is.

Because the one thing that ties it all together—the thing that makes all the other things work—is consistency.

Do as many good things for yourself as often as you can. That’s it. That’s the magic.

A few weeks ago, we talked about the foundations of health— Water. Sleep. Movement. Nutrition. Connection and to stop trying to major in the minors by focusing on the things that matter most, first.

They’re not flashy. They’re not trendy. But they work.

The key to making them matter? Doing them consistently. Not just when it’s convenient.

One great workout is awesome. But one great workout per year? That’s not going to move the needle.

What will?

Workout after workout.

Week after week.

Month after month.

Year after year.

That’s how marathons are run. That’s how strength is built. That’s how habits are formed. And that’s how we build a life that feels really good to live in.

For me, I'm not starting and stopping programs anymore. I don’t go “on” a healthy diet for the week and “off” for the weekend. I move my body—it’s part of my day. I eat—and I pay attention to how food makes me feel. If something leaves me tired, bloated, or foggy, it’s not going to be part of the regular lineup.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up. Again and again.

So maybe the real shortcut isn’t a hack or a new plan. Maybe it’s just deciding to be in this for the long game. To keep going. To stay steady.

Let’s keep showing up—just like those runners out there did today. No shortcuts. Just consistency.