Motivation

I was reading an article on Figureathlete.com called "More Muscle, Less Fat: Our Best Tips" compiled by Chris Shubert. This article compiles the responses of several female fitness professionals and competitors in their best tips for fat loss and muscle building.

There was one entry that caught my attention, and seemed to be very motivating as well as informative. 

Below are the responses from Krista Schaus, Strength Coach, Drug-Free Bodybuilder and Powerlifter:

Best Tip for Fat Loss

Patience. You must be patient and allow the fat loss process time, as often our most stubborn areas are the last to go. Often we bail out or give up on a method or protocol if we don't see immediate results. Remember that what you see visually on the outside is a reflection of what's going on inside physiologically, so give the process time to work from the inside out.

Also, there's often a "tipping point" when you'll look dramatically different from a fat loss perspective. So from 20 to 16% body fat you may look very similar aesthetically, but BOOM, as soon as you drop down to 15%, you all of a sudden look a lot leaner.

Lastly, be open to experimenting: You won't find a book called "(Your Name Here)'s Best Strategies for Fat Loss." It's very individual. If you're afraid to experiment you'll not learn your best methods.

Best Tip for Building Muscle

Persistance. You must consistently and continually work hard and progressively on all fronts: training, eating, resting, visualizing. Persistence does pay off regarding building strength and muscle. Those who invest in the Iron Game over a long period of time reap the benefits. Those who enjoy the actual work of training and aren't always focused on the outcomes also get better and more impressive results over time.

You must love lifting and know and apply basic muscle building principles in order to grow. Persistently punish your muscles with stimulus: feed them for growth and fuel; give them rest, and never allow negative thoughts and energy to impeded the process!