Patience

Tomorrow will mark the four week grand finale for the Summer Shape-Up program I've been workin' at. But what I thought would be a stop to it all once I got here, has resulted in the drive, ambition and passion to keep pushing forward. To see how far I can take my body from where it is. Just how strong CAN I get? Now I'm not going for body builder here...no no no...i'm going for muscle, tone, strength (100% confidence when I put on that two piece suit for the rock n' roll cruise I'm taking in November wouldn't hurt either!).

The goal here is to feel and BE STRONG. STRONG. To look in the mirror and see a result of hard, sweaty, WORK. Four weeks later, I'm not quite where I thought I would be (but still thrilled with what I have seen so far!). The gap in the progress is more a result of not keeping strictly to all the cardio requirements...for you see...I HATE cardio. Well hated. Now I'm finding it a more love/hate...! It seems to be the one thing that works best for killin' my body fat. Therefore I must and WILL learn to love it...as much as I hate it. Ha!

All that said, last night, a dear friend of mine, who has an AMAZING body...and who is so beautifully discinplined with her diet and gym habits...shared how happy she was that I had discovered my passion for fitness. And it felt good to finally look at her and understand what she felt about pushing her body, about making it beautiful and strong. Its the same feeling I have now, its no longer a mysterious, elusive thing. Its right here in my lap now. I'm 42, I feel myself thinking...what have you been waiting for? And I find myself answering...NOW, I've been waiting for NOW. And it feels amazing.

We took a picture last night for fun, to me this fun pic celebrates a transition and change in my life. She's at a completely different level of strength from me and although that little cut in the arm with two teeny tiny baby bump muscles are dwarfed by her beautiful bicep, I still felt proud. (and i swear in person my baby bumps look bigger! LOL)

This isn't about competing with others, or comparing yourself to others. Its about being patient with yourself, your progress and being the best you that you can be.

And i'm on my way.