What is Kaizen?
Kaizen is a Japanese term that describes slow, small, methodical changes to yield small, continued improvements in any endeavor over the long-term. In this article, we will discuss how you can apply the theory of Kaizen to your fitness pursuits.
The idea of Kaizen contrasts the drastic approach many Americans apply to fitness. Most people start a fitness routine all in, with total intensity and vigor, for five or six one hour workouts each week. They also drastically overhaul their nutrition, slashing their calories. However, this approach usually does not work in the long term, and they end up quitting their new program as quickly as they started.
However, you can apply a Kaizen approach to your fitness goals. Instead of overhauling everything all at once, you can make small, slow continuous improvements over time. For instance, you can add ten minutes of walking at lunchtime or try one new green vegetable at lunch.
Benefits of Kaizen
When you pursue continuous improvements over the long term, you get huge improvements over time. Making a small change every week can add up immensely over one year or even ten years.
Because you only make small steps at a time, the changes can work with your lifestyle better and don’t cause so much friction in your life. In short, Kaizen allows you to make real changes without so much anxiety, friction or overwhelm.
Kaizen can also be motivating because you can see how your small changes compound over time. Sometimes taking the tortoise approach really does lead to better, more sustainable results.
How to Apply Kaizen to Fitness Goals
To apply Kaizen to your fitness, try to set extremely small, realistic goals each week. Once you reach one goal, you can set a new goal that is just a tiny bit more difficult than the last one. Try to pursue small weekly changes.
For instance, instead of going from zero to ten workouts per week, try to start walking for five minutes a day. In week two, try ten minutes per day. Each week, increase your goal just a tiny bit. Continue with this process to allow for continual, long term progress.
Continue to evaluate your results and progress, and don’t feel afraid to make changes quickly if some change does not suit you.
Final Thoughts
Kaizen, the Japanese philosophy that describes slow and continual improvement, can benefit every area of your life, including your fitness. By applying a Kaizen mindset to your fitness, you can chip away at your goals in a patient, sustainable way. You might also find this process of slow continual improvement more rewarding and less overwhelming.
What are your thoughts? Have you applied Kaizen to your fitness goals? Please let me know in the comment section below.
