What do you see when you look in the mirror? Have you ever caught yourself making negative comments or thinking negative thoughts about the reflection looking back at you? Maybe you are frustrated because you haven’t made much progress at reaching your fitness goals. Maybe you have thought about leading a fit and healthy lifestyle but have a million excuses why it is simply impossible for you, a very busy person, to actually achieve fitness success. I have one word for you. Shhhhhhhh!
Your body can hear you, whether it is thoughts or words, it can hear you. It knows when you make excuses. “I can’t work out because I’m too tired.” “I can’t exercise because I’m too busy.” “I can’t go for a walk because I have too many other things to do.” “I can’t change my eating habits because I have to work a lot and my only alternative is fast food.” “I’ve never succeeded at losing weight before, so I won’t be able to do it this time either.” If you have ever filled your head with negative thoughts or words such as these, and then failed at achieving your fitness goals, it is no wonder! It is time to stop setting yourself up for failure, and start telling yourself that you can do it!
A positive mental attitude is a key component to achieving your ideal physique, and to leading the fit and healthy lifestyle that you desire. In other aspects of life you are told to believe in yourself and visualize success, when you do this your dreams and goals can and will be accomplished. The same concept can be applied to your physical body too!
Visualizing fitness success is an invaluable tool that you can use to get the results that you want. What does your ideal fit and healthy body look like? How are you going to feel every day when your body is in shape? What will your attitude be? How will your confidence and energy be different? Take some time and really picture what you want for yourself, and then acknowledge that you have the power to make these visions a reality.
When you have a clear picture in mind of what you want to look and feel like, the next step is to write it down. Your “fitness vision” can be just a couple of sentences summing up the picture in your mind of the ideal fit and healthy you. Be sure that your vision is personal and use words that are powerful and motivating to you! Here is an example to get you started. “My fitness vision in the next year is to lose weight by eating properly and exercising regularly so that I can improve my health and be proud of what I see in the mirror!”
Repeating daily affirmations is another technique you can utilize as you develop a positive outlook on your health and fitness levels. When you practice making affirmative statements about yourself, the key is to always use the present tense. Instead of saying, “I will be fit and healthy”, you say “I am fit and healthy.” Make a list of affirmations regarding your fitness goals and repeat them to yourself every day!
The power of positive thinking and maintaining a positive mental attitude may be just the ingredient you are missing in order to progress towards your fitness goals! When you stop the excuses and start telling yourself that you “can” and “will” make the necessary changes to your eating and exercise habits, you will break down the mental barriers that are holding you back. Change that poor mental attitude into a positive one and you will be headed down the right path to a fit and healthy you.
Diana Chaloux is the co-founder and owner of Destined 2 Be Fit (http://www.destined2befit.com) providing fitness DVD's with complete online trainer support and guidance. Diana is a certified personal trainer through ACE, AFAA and FPI, a certified Fitness Coach through Wellcoaches, Lifestyle Management Nutrition Specialist, NPC National Level Figure Competitor (http://www.dianachaloux.com) , Fitness Columnist and Fitness Model. To find out how you can work with Diana as your very own virtual personal trainer visit http://www.d2bfit.com or write to her at contact@d2bfit.com
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