Good
morning my friends….. Patience may be one of the hardest things we have to
learn in life. My brother and I have discussed this issue on many occasions
when referring to today’s fast-pace, “ I want it right now”, mentality. Kids
today are used to instant gratification and typically don’t have to wait very
long for anything. Things were different when we were kids (in the 60’s and 70’s). If we wanted to watch cartoons, we had to
wait until Saturday morning: There was no Cartoon Network on TV. If we wanted
popcorn, we had to ask our mother to pop the old-fashioned kind on the stove:
There was no microwave popcorn that is done in 2 minutes. If we wanted a new
toy, we typically had to wait until a birthday or Christmas, or at least save
our allowance: There was not the ‘I get what I want when I want it”
expectation. We were spoiled, but in a
different way I suppose. Times have
changed, mostly due to technology, and it seems like many people….including me…..become
impatient when we have to wait for things to happen or to see results. This is especially true in our personal
journey to wellness. We want instant result…and we sometimes get discouraged
when we don’t get them.
When I began my weight loss
journey, I admit that I lost weight a rapid pace, very likely because I was so
heavy and had cut my calorie intact so significantly. The scale showed results
each week, but it was many months before anyone even noticed that I had lost
weight. Of course, people are often reluctant to even comment (if they don’t
know you are trying to lose weight) because they don’t want to be offensive by
making a comment to someone who ISN’T on a weight loss plan. I was still wearing
the same clothes after losing 50+ pounds because my clothes at that time were
big, baggy, and tent-like. It was
sometimes discouraging because I wanted to “SEE” results right away and it was
hard to be patient. Keeping with the
plan and consistently making changes on a daily basis…..even when the results
weren’t visible….was and is key to my success.
Those of you that recently started
a journey….either weight-loss or other fitness regime….might encounter the temptation
to give up because you aren’t getting the results you want right away. You
might be 9 days into it (if you began on New Year’s) and perhaps you expected
to be down 10 pounds or a size by now. Maybe you expected people to notice that
you’ve been working out…and they haven’t or that you are already ‘getting
smaller” but they don’t….and you are getting discouraged or wondering if it is
worth it. It is…..don’t give up or
despair. Remember this journey is for
LIFE….not for a time period. Try…as hard
as it is….to focus on how you feel rather than on how you appear in the
mirror. Doesn’t it feel good to be in
control…..to realize that you are strong and can do this….that you are making
good choices? People can’t always see
THAT….but you can FEEL IT….and let those feelings empower you. Try to remember that things take time…..and
in time…..you will see God’s power manifested in your life….if you keep focused
and keep trying again and again if you falter.
You’ve got this……. Believe it!!!
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