When I decided I was going to compete, one of the first things my coach said to me was, “You have to be patient.” In my case, patience with building muscle and patience with loosing fat. Things take TIME. Time = Things I Must Earn.

We live in such a ‘want it, need it, must have it NOW’ world. We demand instant gratification and when we don’t get it we’re not happy.

Remember dial up internet where it would make that noise (Brrruggghduderdurrr) you’d have to wait while it dialed in and the page loaded? Not anymore right? It’s click, click, bang - we can order the latest product from the other side of the world but we can’t yet order the fat off our thighs. (Has anyone else contemplated the unfairness of the fact that it’s so hard to lose weight and gain muscle but super easy to put on weight and lose muscle – C’mon?! )

Nowhere is the ‘want it NOW’ desire more highlighted than the ‘health’ industry. I put health in ‘_’ because there is nothing healthy about taking a pill or potion that promises to ‘lose a dress size in a day,’ ‘shed cellulite,’ or ‘melt body fat.’ Sure, if you drink nothing but flavored water for a week of course you’re going to loose weight AND your sanity cause you’re so darn hungry.

Unfortunately wishful thinking, a celebrity endorsed drink and a staring at a magazine that promises ‘a bikini body in 8 days’ or ‘rock hard abs in just 4mins a day’ going to have any impact on your physique.

If you’re reading this post you know that the only real way of achieving and sustaining the body you’re after is this is good old clean food and exercise. Consistency is key. One day of chicken and broccoli ain’t going to cut the fat!

Yes it can be frustrating when the scales aren’t moving down fast enough or that bit around your belly won’t budge but giving up, feeling discouraged and eating a Snickers (or 4) isn’t going to get you results. If you are consistent and persevere in TIME you WILL meet your goals (I keep telling myself this!). No one said it was easy and yes it will take time. So when I think results aren’t happening fast enough, if they are happening at ‘dial up’ speed I’ll remember to take a breath and remember to take the time, and earn it.