Scroll through your social media feed lately and it’s hard to miss.

Ads for supplements.

Ads for fitness programs.

Ads for extreme weight loss challenges.

It’s exhausting—and honestly, a little gross.

Recently, a post caught my eye and perfectly summed up what we see every day in our physical therapy clinic here in Wichita:

Aside from using one of my favorite nonsense words (schmedium), the message hits on a truth that most fitness and healthcare professionals understand—but many people overlook.

Intensity Is Not a Substitute for Consistency

One of the biggest mistakes we see with fitness and nutrition goals is the belief that more intensity equals better results.

It doesn’t.

Consistency will always outperform intensity in the long run.

Extreme programs promise fast results, dramatic transformations, and all-or-nothing commitment. And while those programs can work short term, they often fail where it matters most—sustainability.

What We See in the Clinic

At Natural Wellness Physiotherapy in Wichita, we hear this story often:

Someone decides to train for a marathon.

They commit to early mornings.

They sacrifice entire weekends for long runs.

They push their body hard—really hard.

That level of dedication is admirable.

But when we ask a simple follow-up question-

“What are you training for next?” or

“How is your running going now?”

The answer is frequently:

“I haven’t run in three months.”

The problem isn’t effort.

The problem is that their intensity crushed their ability to stay consistent.

Why Extreme Programs Often Backfire

Highly intense fitness programs can lead to:

• Overuse injuries

• Burnout

• Chronic aches and pains

• Loss of motivation

• Long breaks from exercise altogether

From a physical therapy perspective, we often see people after the damage is done-when joints hurt, tendons are irritated, or motivation is completely gone.

And that’s the opposite of what fitness is supposed to do.

Ask This Before Starting Any Fitness Program

Before committing to an extreme workout or nutrition plan, ask yourself:

• Is this sustainable for my life?

• Could I realistically do this most days of the year?

• Which parts of this plan could I maintain long term?

If your honest answer is:

• “None of it,” or

• “Maybe 25% on a good week,”

Then it’s probably not the right plan.

Why “365 Schmedium” Actually Works

The most successful people we work with aren’t doing heroic workouts every day.

They’re doing:

• Regular strength training

• Moderate cardiovascular exercise

• Daily movement

• Smart recovery

• Habits they can repeat week after week

That’s 365 schmedium.

Not flashy.

Not extreme.

But incredibly effective.

A Smarter Approach to Fitness in Wichita, KS

At Natural Wellness Physiotherapy, our goal isn’t just to help you recover from pain or injury - it’s to help you stay active for life.

Whether you’re a runner, weekend warrior, active adult, or someone getting back into exercise, we focus on:

• Sustainable movement

• Injury prevention

• Strength and mobility that fits your lifestyle

• Long-term consistency over short-term intensity

Because the best fitness plan isn’t the hardest one—it’s the one you can actually stick with.

Final Thought

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by extreme fitness challenges or burnt out from doing too much too fast, take a step back.

You don’t need perfection.

You don’t need punishment.

You don’t need another all-or-nothing plan.

You need consistent, achievable movement - 365 days a year.

And that’s where real results happen.