Nothing helps change my perspective like a visual.

As you can see from the above photo, 5 lbs of fat may be equal to 5 lbs of muscle in weight, but it’s clearly not equal in volume. Just one more valid encouragement not to live by the number on a bathroom scale.

I’ve needed this encouragement. REPEATEDLY.

Not surprisingly, encouragement toward minimal weighing of oneself and a surrender from size obsession isn’t always met with favor.

The average person, having decided  they are ready to make some serious changes to their body, and having begun spending time working out and eating more healthfully than they were formerly accustomed to, wants to see results of their actions immediately.

In the words of Carrie Fisher’s Suzanne Vale “Instant gratification takes too long.” You’re preaching to the choir baby!

I get it. I truly do. I’ve not only been there, but as a recovering disordered eater, I’m a repeat visitor– that disordered area in my brain lurking in the shadows like a patient monster, waiting to pounce when my energy is in the depletion zone.

But how many “programs” do we begin and finish because they promised immediate results? And then they “end” and we find ourselves looking for yet another solution?

So I’m asking you (while reminding and reinforcing it myself) to change your perspective on why you are choosing to eat optimally and exercise while operating in a fake-it-til-you-feel-it–mode that your looks and size have nothing to do with it while trusting me that not making the final result your goal is what will BRING YOU TO YOUR GOAL. 

And more importantly: BEYOND that goal.

If you’re willing to work, you will get a body that represents your work. But getting that body is not why you’re working. Have I confused you yet?

This will clear things up: Your goal is not to lose weight. 

Oh my gosh, are you having a fit over that one? Are you even still here? If so, I’m going to assume you are asking me what the goal IS.

Your goal is to go bad-ass on your health and build a furnace while you do so.

That’s right.

In order for your body to burn fat, you must build the furnace first. You build the furnace by, you guessed it- that boring tale as old as time of learning to eat nutritious foods that fuel your fitness endeavors and move and work your body in ways that challenge and strengthen it.

Yep, we’re talking about macronutrients and exercise.

You cannot build your furnace in a day’s or week’s time and you can’t jump on a scale to tell you how far along you are on the furnace. This is a matter of doing the work each day in faith without needing instant gratification to “keep you going.”

You’re building something.

For now, that is your project. It doesn’t require any one specific diet (unless that’s your necessity at this time) or a particular exercise program, or involvement in something that you’re going to go on or off.

It’s a beginning to an overall approach toward taking your health into your own hands. This is your life’s project. And just like any project, it won’t progress without due diligence.

So let’s begin our due diligence and get this building going!