Patience is...

“Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience.”-Anonymous.

I had a client come to me today to talk about doing some "extra" cardio at the end of her resistance training workouts. She wanted to know what she should do. Now, granted she is currently doing her 1 hour resistance training workout and then cooling down for 10 minutes on the bike. So, basically, she is starting at ground zero. She thought she could start next week, coming in EVERY DAY for at least 30 MINUTES and be committed to that. That's a great thought, I was thinking to myself. I told her.."what makes you think you are going to start coming in here everyday to do high-intensity intervals when you are currently coming in for NONE?". Good point, Erika- she said.

Everyone wants instant results. Everyone wants the overnight solution. It's human nature and this will never go away. But, if you show patience and put in the consistent hard work, you will start to chip away and lose fat a percent at a time, or a pound at at time. If you step on the scale one day and you are "up", but have been doing everything right, step on in a week again and see what happens. You will probably be down. Just know that you might have "those days." Be patient. If you have been good for a couple of weeks, but slipped one week, don't get discouraged. Don't throw in the towel. Get back on track. Patience will get you there. Trust me.

10 Ways to Stay Patient in Weight Loss

1. Take the pressure off-be good to yourself.
2. Treat yourself to 1 or 2 cheats a week.
3. Don't weigh yourself every day- once a week is sufficient.
4. Have Fun.
5. Change up your routine every week.
6. Find a workout partner who has the same goals and track each other. Stay accountable to one another.
7. Find a fitness coach who will help motivate you, and keep you on track.
8. Understand that weight loss is not linear. You will have weeks where you might be up in lbs, but the next week, you might have a big drop. Stick to your plan and know that the lbs lost will eventually start to add up.
9. Celebrate big drops in weight.
10. Have belief that you can and you will!

Be PATIENT. Be STRONG. Have FUN.

What are you waiting for?