Physical Fitness - It's All in the Mind
We all tend to procrastinate...and if starting an exercise program is one of those things that you've been meaning to do...it's time to make up your mind! That's right, your brain controls how your body moves -- so use your brainpower to get up and exercise.
Make up your MIND
You've been telling yourself that you're going to get off the couch, and get active for months now. You even know all the positives of a healthy lifestyle - you would feel better, have more energy, and lose those pesky extra pounds. So take that first step by making a plan:- Write down your plan on a piece of paper you can post on bulletin board or somewhere in your home. Are you going to walk every evening? How about signing up for an exercise class? Could you find an exercise partner who can meet you at the gym or at the park for a walk?
- Then, what is your goal? Set a realistic goal and declare the reward you’ll give yourself upon reaching that goal.
- Create a checklist or a calendar where you can note each time you exercise as planned and put that in a prominent place.
- Then remind yourself of the positives by writing how you want to feel at the top of your checklist: "I'm going to feel better" or "I'm going to lose 5 pounds."
MIND over Matter
So, you've started with your plan and your goal. Now, put your plan into action, which may be the hardest part. Getting active may seem more physical than mental. But actually a positive mindset can help you keep pushing yourself to maintain your healthy lifestyle. Some professional athletes even hire coaches to keep them positively motivated. Here are some way to keep your "can do" attitude without hiring a coach:- There's nothing to it, but to do it. Try not to let anything get in the way of getting started because once you’ve started, it is a lot easier to keep going.
- Have a role model or a teammate. Pick up some helpful tips from a friend who has successfully improved their health. Or recruit a friend to start this task with you. That way the two of you can keep each other motivated to work toward a common goal.
- Think positively. Remind yourself of how you're going to feel thanks to this exercise – remember the statement you put at the top of your exercise chart? Keep repeating that to yourself. Avoid negative talk like, "I can't do it" or "I'll never lose this weight." Remember the power of your mind: If you think you can, then you can.
- Get support. Tell your friends and family about your new healthy habits. It helps to have an encouraging network.
- Reward yourself. When you've maintained your healthy lifestyle for a while, reward yourself with some of your favorite treats. This could be getting a massage, a trip to the salon, a new DVD or CD, or an outing to your favorite sporting event.
Be Single-MINDed
What happens if you experience a setback? Small setbacks ("My schedule got too busy" or "I suffered blisters for my new walking shoes") do happen. You may occasionally stumble on the road toward your goal. The key is not to let those pitfalls get you down. Here are some more ways to use your mind to keep you going:- Cut yourself some slack. The old couch was calling you back and you gave in. Falling off track doesn't mean throwing in the towel. Remind yourself that change takes time. Pick yourself up and start again.
- Review your goals. If you start to feel it's just not worth it, think about why you decided to change in the first place. Maybe you wanted to lose weight and being active helped you do it. Perhaps you've lowered your blood pressure or are beginning to control your diabetes. Reminding yourself of the goals you've realized and the ones you're still striving for will help you push ahead.
- Have confidence. Believe in yourself and don't question your ability to change. If you fail, try, try again. With patience and determination, you can change your life.
