Cleusa Uenaka on How to Stay Consistent on Hard Days
Without waiting for perfect conditions, the runner explains why the secret to results lies in never breaking your routine.
In a conversation on the Se Liga Nelas videocast, Cleusa Uenaka emphasizes that the key to athletic longevity lies in daily consistency. The athlete explains why one should not wait for the ideal moment to begin and shares how she maintains her workouts even through physical setbacks.
Maintaining a daily workout routine for nearly two thousand days demands far more than fleeting motivation: it requires discipline and the flexibility to navigate physical setbacks. For Cleusa Uenaka, consistency does not depend on perfect conditions, but rather on a non-negotiable commitment to keep moving, adjusting the pace whenever circumstances require.
A daily commitment even when feeling unwell
Even when managing conditions such as thrombocytopenia—a low platelet count—Cleusa refuses to compromise her routine. Recently, during a trip to Maceió, food poisoning left her feeling weak for nearly a week, ruling out her usual strength and weight training sessions. Instead of skipping the day entirely, the athlete adapted her run: she alternated jogging and walking to complete her scheduled 5K, preserving her daily habit of exercise and sun exposure, which she considers essential for supporting her immune system.
Starting today with whatever is on hand
For those who delay taking up exercise while waiting for the perfect moment or gear, Cleusa offers a straightforward message: the ideal day never comes for perfectionists. According to the runner, postponing action until purchasing the best shorts or the latest running shoes only halts progress.
Her advice is to start immediately with whatever is available, whether that means lacing up worn-out sneakers or running in denim shorts around the block or inside the garage. Cleusa emphasizes that anyone unable to run can begin with a ten-minute daily walk. In her view, real success in health and athletics is built solely on daily habits and unbroken consistency.