It Takes Time:
"All good things come to those who wait." I have always been a person that, when my mind is set, whatever it is, it has to happen now. With my physical process, I look at photos of myself and see the changes, but I also see all the changes that I still want to make. I heard it takes 12 weeks (3 months) for what I do in the gym to noticeably show on my body. So every time I go to the gym, everything I eat, every ounce of water I drink, will not be seen until August. Ugh-so close...yet so far away. I try to remind myself to look at the big picture. This is not a fad change or just pounds to lose, this is me changing my whole lifestyle. It's gonna be rocky, slow, and have a major learning curve. I have to allow my body to take its time.
Social Media Infiltration:
As much as I love Instagram and the fitfam it has created for me, I see pictures of girls (and guys) that are sooo far ahead of me in their journey with fitness. This is something that I find I need to be most careful with. It makes me compare my progress to others and leaves me feeling like I'm not changing quick enough. Instead of seeing these pictures as defeating, thinking to myself "Will I ever look that good?!" -- I try to focus on the motivation it brings. I can look that good and I will look that good, just wait...give it time. This is a journey of health, not quick, temporary results!
The Battle with Obsession:
I know guys struggle with this too, but I have heard it time and time again from women fitness models. Find balance! I find myself thinking about how I can become more of a crazy gym-goer and get results faster. I try to keep myself in check with this topic all the time. I love the gym. I love the way I feel after a killer workout, I love the way my body is changing, and I love eating healthy foods that give me energy. I don't want to ever lose sight of this joy! I can see how easy it would be to fall into obsessive thinking about everything. I can eat a cookie, have a sweet coffee, or enjoy that piece of candy...I don't have to kill myself at the gym to justify it and I don't have to guilt myself into never eating anything unhealthy. I want to make sure that, along with my physical health, my mental health is balanced as well. Balance, balance, balance.
Reminders:
Surrounding myself with supportive friends and family is important, but I have found that giving myself little positive, daily reminders is a way for me to focus on this overall journey. My parents gave me this necklace with Phil 4:13 on it. [necklace by Shields of Strength] It reminds me of two things...First, that the strength I have to hit the gym every day is not of my own. I was given a beautiful body to take care of and I need to learn how to treat it well and keep it healthy. Second, this is a life long journey. I want to be able to wear this necklace for a long time with pride to show where I spend so many hours and work so hard.Waiting to see the changes is so hard, but I know they are happening. I can see my little baby muscles peering through, my six pack revealing itself, and I can feel my strength building each day. I need to keep looking at the big picture, take steps towards my greater goal, and be patient with the progress.
"Patience is not the ability to wait, but how you act while you're waiting." - Joyce Meyer
What do you have a hard time waiting for?
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