Work Your Mind, Not Just Your Body

Fitness isn’t just physical: Change your thoughts, and you change your world.
-Norman Vincent Peale

Of course we can all agree that
gaining and losing weight, exercise, diet, strength, and flexibility are all a
part of fitness. But what about body image, self-esteem, aging, relationships,
success, and happiness? They are all related, all connected, and fitness in
all areas is important if you want true and total fitness.

But you may
say, “I just want to lose 20 lbs, if I do I will feel better about myself and I
will be happy.” Maybe in the short term, but honestly, if we don’t address our
mental and emotional fitness (and we can do it while working on the physical),
there is very little chance of: a) keeping the weight off, b) feeling good about
yourself, and c) improving every other area of your life.

Let’s not waste
time on changing our bodies when they will only change back if we don’t change
our minds, too. Let’s work "out" and work "in" at the same time. Changing your
mind – and you must, because if you have been trying to lose weight, but cannot,
there is something inside of you that is disallowing it. You can change this
pattern, improve your self-esteem, increase your joy, and change your body for
good by focusing on changing your mind, too. This is training for
life.

Work-ins will recondition your mind, improve your attitude, change
your perception and stimulate motivation at the same time you are conditioning
your body for weight loss, shaping, strength and endurance.

If you repeat
a positive statement over and over to yourself – like a mantra, your mind will
change, the same way your body does, even if you don’t believe it. Like lifting
a weight over an over, your muscle changes – even if you don’t believe
it.

Try it – what have you got to lose? Say, “I am ready for my body to
be healthier, leaner, and stronger. I love it already."
Say it over and over
while you are walking or running or doing any exercise.

Pick a statement
that works for you – something positive and in the present tense. For more
work-ins suggestions, check out my new book, Training for Life.

Good
Health and Happy Trails to you.
Debbie Rocker