urbanmommy’s BodyBlog

I receive dozens of emails every week from people, asking me questions about my fitness journey.  So many people want to know how I’ve been able to reach my goals and maintain them.  Specifically, I am asked most often, “How do you stay motivated?  How do you remain consistent with your diet and exercise plan?  And how long should I expect to wait before I see results?”

That last question gets asked a lot.  We are a society of quick fixes, aren’t we?  We want a transformed body now, not tomorrow or next week or next month or next year.  Wouldn’t it be convenient if there was a Body Transformation Drive-Thru?  You pull up to the window, and place your order:

"Yes, I’d like 1 six-pack of abs, 2 tight inner thighs, 2 non-jiggly arms, and 1 round rear-end please."

"Ok.  Will that be all?"

"Oh, yes.  And 1 Diet Coke."

"Sounds good.  That will be $1.65 for the Diet Coke and 3 months to 1 year on the rest of your order."

You drive away, frustrated and determined to find faster service.  But is there such a place?  Sure there is.  Well, kinda.  You could go to the Quick Fix places that promise a dramatic weight loss while you sleep; or you could go the starvation route and finally reach that number on the scale that you’ve been struggling to hit.  But then what happens?  You reach the number but your body hasn’t transformed itself.  And your mind hasn’t been renewed either.  You still feel the same way about food and exercise as you did before!  Consequently, you have spent time and money reaching your “goal weight,”  when in reality, all you did was lower your metabolism and distort your thinking.

For the last 6 weeks, I’ve been training for my first figure competition.  And with 6 weeks left before the show, I’ve faced all kinds of inner demons:  mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual demons.  Major doubts have entered my mind; at times all I can see is the overweight woman I used to be.   I hear things like, “What do you think you are doing?  You can’t compete against them!  You don’t belong up there!  They are just going to laugh at you.  Just give up now and go back to your nice, comfortable life.”  Then I realize, my life wasn’t nice and comfortable.  No doubt my life was easier before I started eating clean and training smart.  I could eat anywhere and anything, and exercise was just a passing thought, never a plan of attack.  Now that I have learned how to feed and train my body, I never want to return to my former way of life.  NEVER!  So, I have to ask myself:  “How bad do you want it?”

You may be thinking that I don’t understand your situation.  Standing up on a stage in 4-inch heels and a teeny-tiny bikini is not on your agenda.  But you know what?  IT DOESN’T MATTER!!  Your goals may be different from mine, but the issues we have to face are very much the same. We both have to face those moments of frustration when our bodies are not responding to the work we are putting in.  We both have to change our habits and change our way of thinking. We both have to be PATIENT!!!

 “Be patient.” Not something you or I want to hear, but it’s the truth.  Webster’s Online Dictionary defines Patience as  “the capacity of enduring hardship or inconvenience without complaint.”  Oooohhhh….that’s good!!   And it brings me back to my question:  “How bad do you want it?”  Are we willing to endure hardships and inconveniences to finally reach our goals?  Do we really want to be healthy and strong?  Do we want to live longer and set an example for our children and grandchildren?  

And are we willing to do all that….without complaining?  OH, MAN!!  I don’t know about you, but I just had an “AHA Moment!”  When I start saying phrases like, “This scale won’t move,” or “I screwed up again at dinner,” or “I’ll never look like her,” my body hears it.  My mind isn’t the only one that hears the negativity, but my body hears it, too.  And it digests it and sends it straight to my fat stores.  You think I’m exaggerating, but it’s true.  Research proves that when we speak positive words to a plant, the plant thrives.  Do you think your body is any different? 

I know I’ve been chasing a wild tangent here, so let me sum up:  How bad do you want it?  Bad enough that you are willing to try something new?  Bad enough that you are willing to clean up your diet and make your workouts more intense?  Bad enough that you are willing to change your habits at home, at work, and at play?  Bad enough that you are willing to change your attitude about what it means to be healthy and fit?   What if it takes 3 months to transform your body?  What if it takes 3 years to transform your body?  Is that OK with you? 

Change will not happen overnite because your mindset does not change overnite.  But the good news is…..IT CAN HAPPEN!! 

Be patient.  Be consistent.  Be positive.