What Do You Need To Hear?

Today I was asked a similar question in our forum but gave two different answers. I'm going to just post the raw information for you. Each woman is coming from a different perspective so they got two different answers. Which one are YOU?

Beautiful PNP Girl #1:

Is ok that I haven't been able to be where I should be since I joined?  Physically/mentally not being able to get there. I had a ww buddy, but due to my school schedules, and wo routines, I don't have that support group anymore and my motivation is dwindling.  I feel awful of myself not having the "TIME" to sit and read this material through to a "T" because I am preparing to apply to a school in January that I need to focus on my GPA.  I have so much going through my mind. 

It's FINE! What you need to remember is that you are in no rush to do this!!! The only timelines you have are the ones you are self-imposing. It doesn't matter to me if you go balls-to-the-wall or if you make small, incremental changes that lead to you being fitter, thinner, and healthier a year from now. Make yourself an easy plan that doesn't stress you. Start with the calendar. If that's still too aggressive, focus on just doing your exercise routines and screw the rest. You belong to WW so you know WAY MORE than you need to on how to eat. Just because you aren't doing it clean, practicing meal timing, shakes, blah, blah, blah doesn't mean you can't have successes.

In the end remember this, give the effort you are able to give and expect the results to match those efforts. Sometimes in life we can only give minimal and other times we can go crazy! Be realistic with yourself and your goals and then match your effort level to that. That's how you make a lifestyle. :)

Beautiful PNP Girl #2

Fat loss is a progress...a  S L O W progress, right?  I shouldn't be worried about how quickly I am making progress (I will lose X pant sizes by Y).  I should just realize that I may not be as fast as BettyBoardPoster - as long as I am seeing results. (looser clothing due to muscle growth and fat loss, lifting more weight, etc)

I have had Tosca's books for about 60 days.  I have applied some of the principles of clean eating, but I am just not 100% there ( I am about 75%).  On the other hand, I have made correct food choices when I could have chosen incorrectly.

Technically I should be on week 3 of C25k - but I am just starting week 2.  Do I fret that I am not keeping up with the "program", or just progress and listen to how my body responds to the changes I am making?

Is this progress/journey all about baby steps?  Or am I just justifying my actions.

Honey! Thanks for being honest and putting yourself out there for some REAL feedback. Now, let me give it to you straight. This is a slow process when you do things about 85% of the time. :) You've said it yourself in your post that you are giving about 75% effort so you should only expect to see 50-75% results because of the nature of the beast.

The girls that always did as I said, rarely waivered in their eating and workouts, have made it or bang out good numbers each week. It's the people who typically work at less than their own potential that feel the process is slow. That's not true for everyone, but if most of us look deep into our workout and food journals we see little things here and there that make ALL the difference over the course of four weeks.

I say this because after four weeks you don't remember the cookie you had on Tuesday and the run you slept through in Week Two, Day Four. You remember the big picture of eating and working out hard 60-75% of the time and it FEELS like ALL THE TIME. The results tell you the true story.

I say to you...believe in yourself. Don't prove the rule true that it's a slow process. Do all the things you know you need to do and it will all work out in the end. No pun intended.

Lorie is a great example. She didn't have much to lose, she has no cardio equipment, hates to exercise (hates it), and LOVES FOOD more than anyone I know. I don't know of a day or week that has gone by that she hasn't complained about exercise or the food she HAS TO EAT to get results. But, she doesn't let that get in her way. She busts hump religiously, slaps a fake smile on her face, and does what it takes to get and keep the weight off.

Everyone has to do that. You want great results? Give great effort. You want some results slowly over time, give some effort some of the time.

This is all said because I'm going to blog it. You did great asking the question that is on everyone's mind and now the world is going to hear from me. I applaud you for getting real with me, yourself, and everyone. You can do this! Just make every workout and every eating opportunity the absolute best it can be and you will see your results pick up exponentially. That goes for all of you!!!

So, in the end we all can learn a lesson here. Examine your goals. Sometimes fat loss just isn't the top priority. If it's not, give the effort level you can. For those of you who want it so bad but just aren't applying yourself, stop making excuses and go for it.

______________________

Workout Journal: Leg Day No Cardio
6x8-12 Leg Sled (3 sets at 370lbs - new record!!!)

5x10-12 Free Squats 135lbs

3x8 Straight Legged Deadlifts 95lbs (First week adding these in so I need to get the weight up...this was plenty to maintain form today.)

Food Journal: Gotta start getting real with this again :)

B - 1/2 cup oatmeal with 1/2 container of lowfat blueberry yogurt (preworkout)
S - post workout EAS Shake and banana
L - Turkey ***, Squash, and Marinara
S - 3 tbsp of Peanut Butter
D - Turkey *** Burger (no bun), asparagus, mixed greens salad with peppers, tomato, and balsamic ving
S - cottage cheese and sf jelly