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How To Apply Committment
And Consistency Strategies For Long Lasting Healthy Lifestyle Change

By Natalie Pyles

It Is easier to resist at the beginning then at the end. - Leonardo DA Vinci

The evidence is quite clear. A study done by a pair of Canadian psychologist (Knox & Inkster 1968) uncovered something delightful about people at the race track: just after placing their bets they are much more confident of their horses chances of winning than they are immediately before laying down the bets. Of course, nothing about the horses chances actually shifts: it's the same horse, on the same track, in the same field; but in the minds of those bettors, its prospects improve significantly once that ticket is purchased. Although, a bit puzzling at first glance, the reason for these dramatic ambitions has to do with a common weapon of social influence. Like the other weapons of influence, this one lies deep within us, direction, our actions and behaviors with quite power. It is, quite simply, our desire to be ( and to appear) consistent with what we have already done. Once we decide, make a choice, or take a stand, we will encounter personal and interpersonal pressures to behave consistently with that committment. Those pressures will cause us to respond in ways that justify our earlier decision. We simply convince ourselves that we have made the right choice and , no doubt, feel better about our decision (Fazio, Blascovich, & Driscoll 1992).

Consider the story of Brenda F. one of my long time clients. Let's examine her story of a constant battle of Lupus and Chronic Fatigue. Brenda is a 34 year old mother of two, wife, and Corporate attorney for Intel Corporation. When Brenda came to me she was very depressed and discouraged about her situation. Brenda was constantly tired, fatigued, low levels of energy, and had serious doubts about getting healthier, feeling better, and even accomplishing her fitness goals of running 3, 6, and even 12 miles again. Things were on a rapid downward spiral for her health and lifestyle. Brenda felt affected in all areas of her Wellness mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional. Brenda F. had a breakthrough moment of taking action, being proactive, and deciding to call for help a Health & Fitness Expert. So after choosing to make that call and deciding on another alternative Brenda F. became happier and healthier within a month.

Indeed, we all fool ourselves from time to time in order to keep our thoughts and beliefs consistent with what we have already done or decided (Conway & Ross, 1984: Goethals & Reckman, 1973; Roanfeld, Kennedy, & Giacalone, 1986). For instance, immediatley after casting a ballet , voters believe more strongly that their candidate will win (Regan & Kildreff, 1988).

The power of consistency should be applied as a life long principle to direct human action. To understand why consistency is so powerful a motive, we should recognize that in most circumstances, consistency is valued and adaptive. Inconsistency is commonly thought to be an undesirable personality trait.

Lastly, the moment we realize that the power of consistency is formidable in directing human action an important practicle question immediatley arises: How is that force engaged? What produces the click that activates the whirr of the powerful consistency tape? Social- psychologists think they know the answer: Committment. If I can get you to make a committment (that is , to take a stand, to go on record). Once a stand is taken, a decision is made, there is a natural tendency to behave in ways that are stubbornly consistent with the stand, let these two powerful and meaningful words be a new way of life for us all on our health and fitness lifestyle journey.

About the Author:

Natalie Pyles is the owner & CEO of Fitness Elements & Associates LLC. She is a Fitness & Nutritional Expert, Wellness Coach, Author, & Speaker. Her website is WWW.MyfitnessElements.com. You can call her for a FREE Consultation at !