We live in a social media, digital world where we can see into the lives of people in a matter of seconds- their picture perfect world compared to ours looks wildly different. We see results, we romance results, we compare results–we are obsessed with results!! We place a high value on overnight successes and one hit wonders and under value the grind, the struggle, the everyday ordinary choices, the hard work that’s necessary to yield the results we wish to achieve.
A little background story about me… I’ve always been athletic and pretty disciplined when it has come to my health. I enjoy running and being active. After having twins, I was able to get back into pre baby (babies) weight in a few months. Fast forward a few years and gave birth to my son just 8 days before giving birth to a spiritual child, LOL and launched our church, Influence Culture. That year was a whirlwind, trying to adjust to life with three children and a new church. So, unlike my first experience, I wasn’t back to my pre baby weight. In fact, I was heavier than I had ever been, more tired than ever and just plain exhausted. So, as we sang happy birthday to my son and our church, I knew it was time for change.
So, I started working out in my apartment complex’s gym (so boring, by the way) everyday, getting up and doing the very unattractive, not so very exciting workout. I started to adjust my eating and you know , more boring stuff. I didn’t take any pills, I did however look up a tummy tuck a time or two and realized that’s outta my budget, haha! I didn’t do any miracle shakes, I just did boring stuff, everyday. There were days I ate too much, had pizza one too many times in a week and didn’t feel like any of it was worth it. My goal was to not start over every Monday, but to keep going. So I did.
I kept going.
I set a goal weight (success) That I wanted to achieve after one year-I didn’t achieve that goal… but I kept going. I hit hard seasons, experienced bad days, but I kept going. I knew that although I hadn’t given up, I wasn’t seeing my desired results because there were areas where I needed to be more disciplined and more intentional.
October of this past year, I stepped it up and began to be more intentional and more disciplined, not starting over, but taking the next step.
One day, someone recognized this change and asked, “what have you been doing? You look like you’ve lost a lot of weight?” I replied, “You know the boring stuff-eating better and working out.” They were uninterested in a matter of seconds. Even more so when they found out it had almost been a two year journey. Haha!
Fast forward to stepping on the scale for the past three weeks and not seeing the weight change. I’ve been working out 5-6 days a week, getting up at 4:25 AM in order to workout before my day begins. I’ve been working hard, but not seeing results on the scale.
This past week when I stepped on the scale, I had a moment–results are out of my control, but, progress is not. I need to de romanticize (is that a word) my relationship with results and start falling in love with the progress, the process. I know, more boring stuff!
Yes, my body weight on the scale isn’t changing currently, but I am making progress. I can run longer and faster and I can lift heavier weights. Yes, my tummy still has a lot of stretched skin (thank you twins!!) and my arms still move too much when I waive (thank you Jett) but I’m making progress.
We want a hail marry, game ending touch down, but we only need a few first downs and we are going to earn ourselves 6 points on the board.
The same is true as I am looking at other areas where I want to see results. Our church, for example is in a new season, and boy do I have some expectations! Expectations aren’t bad, but I need to re evaluate what success means to me. Progress doesn’t always feel and look like progress, but when you change your perspective, you begin to see progress loud and clear.
Progress collects compound interest–over time we not only achieve those desired results but we shatter those barriers!
I read something this week that spoke to me and reminded me about this very thing.
“Success is not sexy. It’s sweaty! Success is not glamorous. It’s gritty!”
-Mark Batterson from the book, “Chase the Lion.”
Um, HELLO! How true is that?!
I didn’t give you the play by play to show you how awesome I am (because I’m not) and I surely don’t plan to start my own fitness instagram (you’re welcome) haha! But, I wanted to encourage you that whatever it is that you are wanting to achieve, to get a vision in your heart and get to work! Keep showing up, keep doing the boring, not so awesome things. STOP looking at results and start measuring progress. Anyone can fantasize about results, but it takes true heart and mental toughness to get excited about progress.
When you get excited about progress you realize that your desired goal isn’t a destination but a moving target. Every time you inch your way towards it, it moves forward–as it should.
Are you facing discouragement or frustration because you aren’t seeing the results you wish to see? I encourage you to take a deep breath and do a little inventory, place the value on progress!
I know, boring stuff… but it will get you there, one decision at a time, I promise.
These two pictures were taken exactly two years a part. I know, boring stuff…. but I’m going to keep making progress.
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