I Want it and I Want it NOW!!

Seems like everyone is impatient to see results. If things don't happen fast enough, they give up or give in. I hear this from so many people. "I tried to get in shape but I just couldn't so I gave up," or "I lost a couple pounds but then it just stopped so I thought I'd just go back to eating. At least I'm getting some satisfaction from food." Then there's my fave: "I just don't have time now. I'll try to get in shape next summer. Or next year." Or never?



The trouble is, everyone progresses at a different rate. Some people lose weight just by cutting back on calories a wee bit. Some are able to bulk up with tons of rock hard muscle in a matter of months while others struggle to gain a mere half inch.


But no one, and I mean no one attains everything they want as fast as they want. And you can't compare yourself with the perfect physiques you see on this website because you have no idea what it took for them to look like that!


There are four kinds of people / attitudes when it comes to transforming their bodies:


1. Those who's heart was never really in it and they give up before they even start, spending more time making excuses than anything else;


2. Those who give it a halfway try and wind up a tad better than they were, peter out and will likely be back at square one in a few months;


3. Those who plan their strategy and live it, taking each success in stride and moving forward toward their goal, understanding that it takes time; and


4. Those who are so dedicated (usually due to an upcoming competition or transformation challenge) that they put their entire body and soul into it and acheive results quickly.


BUT--and any of you who have been in category 3 know this--it is rare for a person to stay in peak condition year round. It is just too much work! Even the fittest of the fit have off-seasons when they lose all semblance of the ripped god or goddess in the pictures. They just know they'll have to amp the diet and exercise back up to reveal that stunning bod!


So, my point is, don't expect miracles. Don't expect to work out for six months and look like Ava Cowan. Probably ain't gonna happen.


Instead:

-Give yourself and your body time to adjust to what you are trying to achieve.

-Set realistic goals that are achievable, to do otherwise is to set yourself up for failure.

-Keep a log or journal of your progress and note what seems to be working and what is not.

-When you feel like quitting, get some support from people who want to help you achieve your goals.

-Celebrate each milestone (even the small ones) by rewarding yourself. It doesn't have to be huge, maybe a new pair of lifting gloves or work out shorts or even a little cheat treat like a Mocha Latte from Starbuck's.

-And always remember, Rome was not built in a day. Anybody in a fitness magazine that you admire will tell you it takes a heck of a lot of time and dedication to get to the place they are and nearly as much to stay there.

If it's worth having, it's worth waiting for. And your new body is definitely worth having AND waiting for!!

Go for it and never look back! You'll be so glad you did.



Sue