Patience

Definition of PATIENT

: bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint

: manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain

: not hasty or impetuous

: steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity

Definition of VIRTUE

a : conformity to a standard of right : morality b : a particular moral excellence

plural : an order of angels — see celestial hierarchy

: a beneficial quality or power of a thing

: manly strength or courage : valor

: a commendable quality or trait : merit

: a capacity to act : potency

 "Patience is a virtue" - I wish I had a nickel for every time I have said that. I have no idea where I got that from. I've learned this morning that it seems to be somewhat of a christian saying which is a stretch for me and my upbringing for sure - so WHO KNOWS where I latched on to that from! I sure have used it to nag though! Especially to Jen!! - she used to have to worst road rage I have ever seen!! ha ha! Then she used to nag me for nagging her about that! aaahhhhh.... good times.... ! Too funny... anyways I realize that I wasn't really certain what that phrase even meant - so I thought I'd check that out first, and based on the above I have designed a new phrase that I like much better - and brings the interpretation closer to me in my life right now. "Be steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity with manly strength and courage" if the "manly" part bothers you, you can switch it out for another adjective that you see fit - but me, I have never been a feminist. "Open the damn door for me ya prick - I need to talk to your mother!!!" ha ha ha! Naaahhhhh I'm not that extreme the other way either - I just think ANYONE should hold the door open for ANYONE else.

So often, when we try to teach, show or lead by example the hardest part ends up being taking our own advice. I wonder why that is... you would think we talk about it so much and preach it so much that we would HAVE to live by it. I'm admitting to this very thing. I've been writing this blog for a few weeks now and there is some great advice in it, but I've been having to remind myself again and again to take it!! My most recent example is from Friday - which marked 6 weeks of competition. I knew well ahead of time that at the 6 week mark we would be re-doing the fitness test and doing a full set of measurements ect... As per my usually routine, I weighed myself in the am before I headed out to work. 2 pounds down. "Dammit!" I thought.... "Why why why ONLY 2 pounds???? - what did I do? What did I NOT do??? This weight is never going to come off...." TERRI!!! for fuck sakes knock it off!!! (that's the voice I have started calling my inner drill Sargent, shes nice and supportive but can also really whip my ass). That voice brought me into check. "what am I thinking? 2 pounds is freakin wicked awesome!!! That's only one week.. that's 2 very good well earned pounds that will never ever return... nice work Ter... good job!! Look at you go..." PHEW... I recovered quickly from that one - but make no mistake that the battle continued on all throughout the day. It is constant effort to battle these thoughts. My biggest problem is when I was on that Sureslim diet I lost 28 pounds in one month. That told me that it was possible, and I thought I was being healthy at the time so it stuck in my head as the results one SHOULD be getting.... and you know... I remember thinking during that time that I was losing some of my muscle. I had that thought!!! SHOOT - you'd think I could have caught on that maybe it was BAD for me??? NO WONDER I lost 28 pounds in a month, I was losing some fat but I was losing muscle too! Now I'm finally getting some of that muscle back, so of course the pounds will not go down as quickly because I'm putting pounds of muscle back where it belongs! That battle will continue I'm sure, but I am gaining on it!! That immediate negative reaction will not exist forever. Its more important to be aware of those thoughts and turn them around instantly. They will become fewer and farther between until they do not exist at all anymore!

The icing on the cake of winning battle #4,365,674?? Elaine comes for our session and we realized that I have lost 19.5 inches since the start of the challenge. Six tiny little weeks... and NINETEEN and a half inches!!!! Its CRAZY ridiculous!!! I was actually in shock for a moment, and writing this now I fight back a tear. I am SO proud.. and so grateful!! - PLUS!! - I took 2 mins and 53 seconds off of my fitness test time!!! And increased the amount of time I can hold a good plank position by 18 seconds. PHENOMENAL. AANNDDDD - I still have 2 weeks to best that!!!! Fricken right on! GO TEAM!! ha ha!!

"Be steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity with manly strength and courage"