Mindset, Changing the Way You Think: so you can achieve your goals

Most people know generally what it takes to get healthier/more fit, but still so many people struggle to achieve their fitness goals. So much of what it takes to get in better shape has to do with your mindset and not what your body can do. How do you feel about exercising and eating healthier? What is your main focus when setting your goals?

Changing the Way You Think About Exercise and Diet

So, you know you need to exercise and eat better to increase your health and fitness. You might even have a workout plan and a shopping list full of healthy foods to get you where you want to be physically. But, do you dread your next workout? Are you still thinking you’d rather have the candy bar instead of the grapes? Do you think about how hard it is and wish there was an easier way? You might struggle to get through it, but probably never regret it afterwards. After all, it’s the only way you’re going to get where you want to be, right?

Changing the Way You Think About Exercise

Did you know that your mindset could be what’s holding you back from reaching your goals? If you view something as difficult and something you don’t enjoy, you’ll probably experience some stress in relation to it. This stress causes the release of cortisol into your body which can increase the amount of fat stored by your body, especially in the abdominal area. That’s definitely working against you and your goals.

It’s possible that you just haven’t found the workout that’s best for you. But, it’s also possible that you are just focusing on the wrong things. Instead of thinking about how hard the workout is, how tiring it is, and how sore you might be later, try thinking about the positive side of it. Start thinking about how amazing it is that your body can do what it does. Be grateful that you are able to move in a way that let’s you function in your life. Focus on the strength, endurance, and flexibility that you are creating during your workouts. Imagine the better quality of life you will be living as you age while your exercising.

Changing the Way You Think About Food

When you start thinking about eating healthier, what comes to mind first? Do you immediately start thinking of all the things you’re not allowed to eat anymore? Or, do you think about the things you’re going to start eating that are healthier choices? Maybe you think that you’re going to be hungry, miserable, and craving the things that you’ve designated as “bad” before you have even made a change.

Focusing on getting rid of things you enjoy from your diet and the feelings of being deprived are not going to help you eat healthier. It will probably set you up for failure from the beginning. If you want to succeed in changing your diet for the better, focus on the positives. Think about the fruits, veggies, seeds, and nuts that you do like and plan to eat more of. Think about how you will be providing your body with the things that it needs for optimal health.

Change doesn’t have to mean that you are going to be hungry and miserable. You might have an adjustment period, but focusing on what you can add and not what you have to get rid of will help make it an easier transition.

Overall Mindset, Changing the Way You Think

Changing how you view things in your life can make a big impact on your level of stress and behaviors. Focusing on the negatives in any situation can lead to stress and make it harder to adapt to change. Always thinking about what you can’t have or can’t do instead of focusing on what you can have and can do can make all the difference in the world. Saying you can’t have something makes you want it more.

If you find yourself starting to think about the negatives, remind yourself why you are making the changes in the first place. Are you making changes for better health, more energy, to lose weight, or to be able to participate in a certain activity? The goals you’ve set are your positives. The way you will feel and the things you will be able to do as you reach those goals are your “why”. So, if/when you find it to be a little difficult, make sure you are still thinking of the positives. Think of the possibilities that come with making the change and achieving your goals!

I would love to hear from you about your goals and your experiences. Have you tried changing the way you think about things. Did it change your outcome? Let me know, comment below!