Do you love to exercise? How about playing sports? Walking the dog?
Fun may not be how you view exercise or physical activity in general. Fair enough. It may carry a very negative image of being punished with laps, hills or push-ups in gym class. You may have felt the ridicule of classmates because of what you could or could not do or how you looked or did not look. It may have been how it felt. It hurt!
Experiences such as those led to an underlying and now unconscious belief about exercise, sport, or physical activity. That belief is what secretly controls your prioritization and not following through with the exercise you know you need on a consistent enough basis.
Think about what you tell yourself when asked about or when you think about any particular activity. Running may give an image of knee or back pain. A solo activity like riding an exercise bike may feel boring. A class may send a sudden rush of fear of judgement. A fitness center and weight training may leave you feeling foolish because you don’t know how to use the machines. You might fear too much activity because of a heart condition or some other concern. Everything I mentioned here is absolutely valid and needs to be addressed, but is also an excuse of avoidance. You can reclaim your power over being active and let go of that belief.
If it doesn’t feel fun and enjoyable at the start then try this simple shift.
REFRAME your chosen activities as SATISFYING.
Actually tell yourself that what you are doing is satisfying, then tell yourself and others WHY. Corny as it may sound, it will work.
To connect with why is to connect, once again, with your deep seeded why’s for achieving and living with Thriving Health. What you will gain and benefit from consistently doing it. Of course this will be unique to everyone but it has immense power in it. Negative language, within you or from others, has the power to stop you in your tracks. Shifting from that language every time it comes up will reframe your experience and the result will be satisfying.
So when that voice in your head begins telling you any of the old avoidance stories, such as those mentioned above, STOP and tell yourself why doing that activity will be satisfying. When someone else begins complaining about why going for that run, class, or other workout sucks, in whatever words they choose, DO NOT simply go along with the exercise bashing as you typically would. Find something positive to say and feel about what you are doing or about to do. Say it out loud to your friend to shift the mood of the experience.
Trust that repeated positive reinforcement through the language you choose will lead to more consistent physical activity and as you begin to achieve the results you desire you will naturally enjoy the activities you are doing and will continue indefinitely.
They might even become fun!
Remember…
“Life is meant to be embraced, enjoyed and fully lived, not merely endured!”
To your health,
Brent
Be an advocate of Thriving Health. Forward this to anyone you feel would appreciate receiving this message. Thanks for your support. I appreciate it.
Beginning with a degree in exercise science and kinesiology, Brent Haydey has evolved over thirty years as an entrepreneur; building four businesses, and as a health, executive, and life coach.