The first step in being fit and fabulous for life is realizing fitness is not just about the physical body. We are also emotional, mental and spiritual beings. In order to achieve fitness wholly, we must work on all areas of our being. It is important to accept ourselves wholly.
Being a personal trainer for over 8 years, I can think of so many instances where people want to know how to get flat abs, sculpted arms, and a butt tight enough to bounce a quarter. When I begin talking about cleaning up their diet or the cardiovascular work required to make it happen, some people get excited about the challenge, while others loose all enthusiasm. A major reason this happens is due to our beliefs about ourselves and what we are capable of. There is a proverb that states... For a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Simply put, our thoughts lead to our feelings. Our feelings lead to our actions. And our actions lead to our results.
Ever wonder why you've been dieting for years and still can't take off the weight? Or better yet, why you seem to gain more weight with each new diet? Or why you exercise and seem to not see results? Or why reaching fitness related goals seem to be so much easier for everyone but you? You are not alone. Compartmentalizing physical fitness is an ineffective approach to achieve fitness goals and maintain them for life. Think I'm kidding? Just take a look at how many people you know, including yourselft that have started diets and failed. How many have started working out with personal trainers and fitness groups, but didn't maintain the results? How many have started a new fitness craze that worked for a while but after the thrill of doing something new is gone, so are the results. And my personal favorite, how many have an entire home gym of fitness equipment, but fail to use it? You know what I am talking about especially if your treadmill has seen more hangers than miles.
We must look at ourselves wholly and workout our mind and spirit along with our bodies. Then we will see lasting results and become fit and fabulous for life and pass that lifestyle on to generations to come.
Here's a homework assignment for those who have non-supportive associations around their body image. This can be the person who believes they are fat to the person who believes their butt is too big or their butt isn't big enough, to the person who believes they would be perfect if they lost just 5 more pounds. Whatever the case, if you don't believe you are perfect as you are, at this moment, I want you to be aware of what you are thinking. For one week, carry a small notepad with you EVERYWHERE. Jot down any thought you may have that is not supporting you. Do it for an entire week. As an added bonus, write what you are doing when or just before that non-supportive thought invades your mind. Don't cheat yourself. This is an important exercise that may just surprise you. We will revisit your results in a week!
Until then, Dream it. Be it. Do it! And know that it's yours.
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