Most people already know what they should be doing to improve their health. Lift weights. move more, eat better and sleep consistently. The challenge isn’t access to information, instead it’s execution.
Despite the establishment of clear physical activity guidelines in the United States, participation remains extremely low. Current recommendations call for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week and two or more days of strength training, yet the majority of adults fall short of both. Even fewer meet the strength-training guideline consistently.
Updated (2018) Physical Activity Guidelines
Easy to Moderate Aerobic Minutes per Week (minimum of 150)
Strength Training Sessions per Week (2)
*** Higher intensity aerobic training (HIT) can also be used to decrease the recommended minimum minutes per week (75-150 min) if that’s your preference.
Your Motivation isn’t Translating into Sustainable Action
Coaching creates structure when motivation fades. When someone knows they’re expected to show up, follow a plan, and check in, the decision to train becomes automatic instead of optional. Over time, that expectation matters, especially on busy, stressful days when willpower is already spent elsewhere.
At Brentwood Barbell, our members don’t just work harder (though they do train plenty hard), instead we teach them to prioritize consistency. Year over year, our members miss fewer sessions than most folks training at big box facility. This allows our athletes to get off the hamster wheel. Our members aren’t restarting from scratch every few months or every January 1st. Instead, they’re consistently chipping away at a pace and frequency that works for them.
You’re Missing Out on the Bright Spot Effect
Long-term motivation doesn’t come from massive, dramatic changes. It comes from small, repeatable wins. Please read that part again. A lot of folks mess this part up. Action creates motivation, not the other way around.
Bright Spots might look like:
Showing up for all scheduled sessions in a week
Adding five pounds to a lift
Sleeping an extra 30 minutes each night
Hitting protein goals for three days in a row
Examining your progress every 3 months and setting new goals
Each win reinforces the belief that change is happening and progress (action) fuels motivation. Over time, these small victories compound into stronger habits, improved confidence, and long-term results.
Attempting to build discipline while, at the same time, being overwhelmed by life is difficult. Between work, family, finances, and daily responsibilities, decision fatigue is a real barrier to exercise and nutrition consistency. When every workout requires deciding what to do, how to do it, and whether it’s working, people often default to inaction.
This is why so many people hire a coach to do the organizing for them. A good coaching relationship removes the mental load:
The program is written
The progression is planned
The schedule is set
Adjustments are handled
All you have to do is show up and work hard. That clarity is powerful and it’s one of the biggest drivers of consistency, especially for adults with limited time.
For me personally, hiring a coach was the single biggest factor in my (business) success. I was completely overwhelmed with all the stuff “I should be doing”. My coach was able to give me simple, clear; direction and the results were dramatic.
You Need Long-Term Accountability
Accountability isn’t about pressure or guilt. It’s about support, clarity, and momentum.
It bridges the gap between knowing and doing
It creates visible progress through small wins
It reduces mental stress by eliminating constant decision-making
It keeps people engaged when motivation naturally dips
If you’ve struggled to stay consistent in the past, it’s not a personal failure. It’s a systems problem. And coaching is often the missing piece.
Want to discuss how we can help YOU? Book a Meeting with one of our coaches and we’ll get you moving in the right direction.
