Seeing Results

One of the most frustrating things about TRYING to lose weight is actually waiting to see the results.  No doubt, seeing the results that you want is going to take MUCH longer than you would like.  That has been my biggest obstacle to persistence.  I want to see results as soon as I start making an effort.  I'm a huge fan of instant gratification.  For example, I was a server at a restaurant for almost 5 years.  Perfect job for instant gratification: you work hard at pleasing your customers and you get a tip (most of the time) that made it all worthwhile.  Losing weight is not like that.  You have to give it your all for WEEKS before you see any changes which is really difficult for someone like me.  I have read that it sometimes takes even 12 weeks or more before you will start to notice changes in your body.  That is 3 months!  It is hard to do something for 3 months and not get any gratification for your work.  The key is to KEEP GOING! 

Exercise is the most effective yet also the most underutilized stress reliever and anti-depressant.  If you're feeling bad about your body, there's no better way to get out of your funk than getting up and moving.  And have fun doing it!  Josh (my boyfriend) and I went to the arcade last night after our dinner date.  Yesterday was supposed to be a day of rest for me, but I found that there are ways even in the arcade to be active and break a sweat!  Now, we are an extremely competitive couple, so we are always striving to beat each other so usually when we play something we play it multiple times to prove who is better.  We started out playing the game where you throw a football into different point holes.  Arm workout!  Then basketball.  Another arm workout!  Then Josh and I played laser tag and it was great!  Got a good deal of cardio in from running around like maniacs chasing each other with lasers :) Then when we got out of the battle zone we went back into the arcade and played Dance Dance Revolution, which is a pretty good cardio workout itself!  Just goes to show you that you CAN have fun and be active! 

Josh and I also have a good time playing on the Wii Fit.  Of course we are constantly competing, but that's what makes it last so long and become such a great workout.  I have also heard that there are some pretty great activities with the Kinect.  The point is, keep what you're doing fun because that will keep you doing it!  And the longer you do it, the more results you will see!

If you focus on making every day a day that you are proud of, you will see the results.  Don't give up! And this is something you can take into every aspect of your life.  Work hard.  Keep going.  Set your sights on something and make it happen!!  Not just your weight loss goals, if you have any, but anything that you want, you can do.  Something my mom always told me will fit well here (and you'll probably get a lot of my mom-isms), "You can do ANYTHING you WANT to do."  Period.  No excuses, no exceptions.