When you think of the word “fitness,” what is the first thing that pops into your head? What image, what feeling? The answer to this question could tell you a lot about why you are or aren’t achieving and/or maintaining the body of your dreams.
I’ve talked to a lot of fitness professionals, as well as, people who have achieved some sort of major fitness goal and 9 times out of 10 they will tell you it’s all about your mindset. But what does that really mean – mindset.
Wikipedia defines the word mindset as:
A mindset, in decision theory and general systems theory, refers to a set of assumptions, methods or notations held by one or more people or groups of people which is so established that it creates a powerful incentive within these people or groups to continue to adopt or accept prior behaviors, choices, or tools.
Whoa, lots of words and phrases to really just say something that is very simple. All mindset really is, is the beliefs and feelings that you have about a certain subject. Period. So the answer to whether or not you will be successful in maintaining, or even achieving the body of your dreams, all stems from how you feel about things like fitness.
A lot of people, when they think of fitness – running, lifting weights, sweating, getting up and doing something active with their body – they have sort of an ugh feeling about it. They think fitness is hard or uncomfortable, or they think of all the other things they could be doing instead.
What if those people decided to change the way they think about fitness? What if they decided that from today on, they were going to look at all the reasons why fitness could be fun? What if they choose to believe that fitness is really something that you get to do, rather than something that you have to do?
This is what the trainers, and hot body achievers, and the people who really have a good relationship with their body and their health understand – you’ve gotta feel good about the process and the whole package of what achieving your dream body really means in order to maintain it for the long term. And no one can do that for you. That is a decision that you have to make on your own. It all starts with an awareness of your thoughts and beliefs.
What thoughts and feelings come up for you when you think of fitness?
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
STRONG. Capable. Happy. Refreshed.
Sometimes I DO feel blah about fitness, but whenever I start to feel that way, I remind myself that I’m doing it so that I won’t have to say “I’m too weak” or “I need help”… I don’t want to have to rely on someone else to lift things for me because my arms aren’t strong enough. I don’t want to be unable to go for long hikes in the summer because my legs are too tired. I DO want to be able to channel my own power and confidence through my physical self!
…and THAT, for me, is what makes fitness worth it
Woohoo, you go girl!
When I think of fitness – I think of feeling good about me and my body. When I am on the treadmill running and my heart is pumping and my legs are working so hard, I feel appreciative that I have a strong heart and legs. That focus is all I need and when I am done – my attitude about EVERYTHING has improved.
I have to admit, I do like fitness (strength training & cardio) when I think about it. I wouldn’t say I think of fitness as fun, but I do enjoy it. At my age, it is necessary and it is good for me. I do like the feeling I get when in the midst of a workout. I love music, so that energizes me right away. I have to add, I love the results, I am trim & healthy! So I never associate fitness with any negative thoughts. . And I will reiterate what Marie said, my whole attitude about EVERYTHING has improved! I need it for I am helping my daughter with newborn twins (eve & night)! But I still work full-time, find time for fitness, and my weekly church duties. I need the energy & strength fitness produces.
Hi Old Lady (LOL) and Marie,
Congrats to you! It sounds like you’ve really found your groove. I couldn’t agree more where you say that your attitude about EVERYTHING improves when you feel healthy and fit… feeling good is a slippery slope, and once you feel it about one thing, it tends to spread!
I totally feel BLAH about fitness. I have tried time and time again to get back on the horse because I know that I need to be healthier and because I’d like to lose some weight. The sad thing is that I was very active as a child, playing sports and dancing up through my second year of high school. Then play rehearsals and youth group took over my schedule, and really, I just fell out of the habit of exercising. Now, eight years later, it is an enormous struggle to get the momentum back (for more than a few days). I know that it feels good to have more energy and see the inches going away, and more than anyone else, I am aware that it’s about creating the mindset. Any tips on how to do that?
Hi Beata,
Thanks so much for reaching out. I think the first step is realizing that you don’t have to change everything in one day, but rather baby steps, bit by bit, that add up over time to big change. Check out our Resource Page for lots of great articles on how to start making those changes, and slowly but surely adjusting your thoughts and feelings about exercise and food, so that you see them as something that you “get” to do, rather than something that you “have” to do. Also, sometimes finding a program that incorporates both fitness and the inspiration/mindset aspect can help a lot too. One in particular that I have used myself is the Action Hero Babe System. Congrats to you on taking that first step, in realizing that you want to make a change. Good luck and keep us posted!
I forgot to add…I also exercise with a friend after work, we are the same age and have a lot of fun together, ’cause we have the same goals. Keeping and staying healthy. It helps to have a motivator, cause when I dont feel like doing plyometrics…she forces me to! LOL