The Bigger Picture

I know for most of us there are days that eating right, working out, putting in the extra effort, it just isn't something we feel like doing. Who hasn't said "chuck it" for a day? Most of us have had that little splurge or missed a workout because of one reason or another. We need to make sure that we don't let little missteps sway us from our ultimate goal. Yes, working toward a better, healthier way of living is a bit of a balancing act. We have to juggle our body's weaknesses and the desire of our hearts. There are days when overcoming a weakness takes everything you have got. Other days you don't even blink, you just do it. It is important to remember that even if you slip off the balance beam, all you have to do is hop back up there and keep going!

The other big struggle happens when we don't see the results we want. We put in HUGE effort, stick to the eating plan with no deviation, and yet the dreaded scale doesn't budge. That can be a big motivation killer! First I want you to know you are not alone. Everyone has those weeks. Second it is important to be realistic. You are not likely to lose massive quantities of weight super-fast. It takes time for your body to adjust to fewer calories and it takes time for the work you are putting into reshaping your body to be visible. It isn't going to happen overnight. Does that mean it isn't worth it? Not at all! In fact, it has greater value than it happened quickly. The more work we put in, the more we appreciate the results and the longer they will be a priority for us to maintain. 

There are several things we can do to combat disappointment. 
 

1. Find a good support network! Pick a few friends/family members that value what you are trying to do. Share your goals with them. Be transparent about your struggles. They are there to help, encourage and keep you accountable. When we have other people that we don't want to let down, we tend to work harder. 

2. Don't rely solely on the scale to tell you if you are making progress. Take before photos, front side and back, in something that will allow you to see muscle changes, definition, and body shape changes. Take measurements the day you start. Or if you have already started take them today so you have a basis of comparison. You will usually see more change in inches lost and appearance in photos than you will on the scale!

3. If you are on social media, find and follow people/groups that encourage and inspire you to stick with it and see it through to completion. Lord knows, we all need cheerleaders and we all need to be inspired to keep going.

4. If you haven't taken a long hard look at your "why"... Sit down and spend some time thinking about what is REALLY driving you. Write it down. Post it on your mirror. Go back and read it every time you feel like quitting. Sometimes we are the biggest challenge we have to overcome in order to reach our goals!

If you need some friends or support people for your journey, we have a great group of people behind us and with us. Send me a message, email or join our community on Facebook! We would love to have you along for the ride and we would be thrilled to see you reach your goals! ^_^ https://www.facebook.com/NerdyGirlFitness

Remember: You have got this! You aren't alone! You ARE worth it!!!