photo credit: aussiegall
For most of us, there are days which are more challenging than others. Maybe its because your little one was up all night with an earache, or you spent half the night tossing and turning because of your honey's snoring or it may just be that you're having an 'off' day.
It's cool, we all experience this from time to time.
The real test of ourselves is what comes afterwards. Do we float the 'boat of defeat' or do we shove the day off as if it never happened and vow to wake up the next day with energy and vigor?
These triggers are the ignition of a great lifestyle change. Or not.
The longer I'm in this game (yes, the Game of Life), the more I realize that all of our truths, meaning the things that we deem to be true in our heads were written by US. Sure, your mother had something to do with it, and maybe we can even give your mean 3rd grade teacher some credit, but ultimately, you were holding the chisel that etched it in stone.
Body work/fitness/healthy lifestyle choices are all based on what your pre-concieved notions of YOURSELF are.
"I'm fat."
"I'm out of shape."
"I'm weak."
"I'm inflexible."
"I'm not athletic."
"I'm not coordinated."
...I could go on and on and on, and aptly name this post, "Phrases that make Rupal stark raving mad." but...I'll spare you the grief.
What most people do not understand is that we all have the ability to do IT. Whatever IT is for you. We were all blessed with a body that moves and functions beautifully. There really are NO physical limitations that you can't overcome.
Every attempt is a step towards achieving your goal. It's not that you can't do it, it's just that your still working towards reaching the top.
For example, maybe you were over at MizFit yesterday reading all about Interval Training (which, if you haven't already done so, I highly recommend that you do) and while reading through the comments, you ran across someone who struggles to 'work that hard'. Automatically, you have associated interval training with 'hard work', even before you have tried it!
You've created a negative association that leaves you feeling defeated and ill-equipped with something that is one of the best fitness techniques out there (in my opinion).
What we fail to realize in most of these situations is that once you cross that bridge, or jump that hurdle (the mental hurdle) you can do anything. Your body is NOT the limiting factor. It's your brain.
I challenge you today to try something new, small or large (maybe a new class at the gym) and erase all pre-conceived notions about it, work at your own pace and encourage yourself with positive affirmations. See how you feel coming out. Please share!!
Have you had the experience where all of the sudden things begin to change in response to your thought process? Do you feel defeated before you start things? Are you scared to start something new because you think it's going to be hard? Do you find yourself saying any of these sayings to yourself?
For most of us, there are days which are more challenging than others. Maybe its because your little one was up all night with an earache, or you spent half the night tossing and turning because of your honey's snoring or it may just be that you're having an 'off' day.
It's cool, we all experience this from time to time.
The real test of ourselves is what comes afterwards. Do we float the 'boat of defeat' or do we shove the day off as if it never happened and vow to wake up the next day with energy and vigor?
These triggers are the ignition of a great lifestyle change. Or not.
The longer I'm in this game (yes, the Game of Life), the more I realize that all of our truths, meaning the things that we deem to be true in our heads were written by US. Sure, your mother had something to do with it, and maybe we can even give your mean 3rd grade teacher some credit, but ultimately, you were holding the chisel that etched it in stone.
Body work/fitness/healthy lifestyle choices are all based on what your pre-concieved notions of YOURSELF are.
"I'm fat."
"I'm out of shape."
"I'm weak."
"I'm inflexible."
"I'm not athletic."
"I'm not coordinated."
...I could go on and on and on, and aptly name this post, "Phrases that make Rupal stark raving mad." but...I'll spare you the grief.
What most people do not understand is that we all have the ability to do IT. Whatever IT is for you. We were all blessed with a body that moves and functions beautifully. There really are NO physical limitations that you can't overcome.
Every attempt is a step towards achieving your goal. It's not that you can't do it, it's just that your still working towards reaching the top.
For example, maybe you were over at MizFit yesterday reading all about Interval Training (which, if you haven't already done so, I highly recommend that you do) and while reading through the comments, you ran across someone who struggles to 'work that hard'. Automatically, you have associated interval training with 'hard work', even before you have tried it!
You've created a negative association that leaves you feeling defeated and ill-equipped with something that is one of the best fitness techniques out there (in my opinion).
What we fail to realize in most of these situations is that once you cross that bridge, or jump that hurdle (the mental hurdle) you can do anything. Your body is NOT the limiting factor. It's your brain.
I challenge you today to try something new, small or large (maybe a new class at the gym) and erase all pre-conceived notions about it, work at your own pace and encourage yourself with positive affirmations. See how you feel coming out. Please share!!
Have you had the experience where all of the sudden things begin to change in response to your thought process? Do you feel defeated before you start things? Are you scared to start something new because you think it's going to be hard? Do you find yourself saying any of these sayings to yourself?
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7 comments:
Rupal,
You're lobbing softballs to me today. Yes, without a doubt have I made a change in the way I now see life. Way up on the glass half full side too.
And thanks for your comments on Miz's blog today, it means a lot.
After the last two days I NEED an easy day!! (A big thank you to Tom!) I'm probably in the "rocking chair" as they said in the CB days, with more serious traffic ahead, but I'm still enjoying the moment :-)
So true. Our language can fuel us or defeat us.
I'm still in the habit of thinking, "Oh, I can't do that," but now I follow it up with, "But let's see how close I can get." So I try it anyway. Sometimes the results are laughable (and laughing is always good), and sometimes the results are surprisingly good. At minimum, I tried it. :)
Wow! It's like you're in my head. LOL This is a topic that's been fluttering around in my brain a lot. The phrases *uncoordinated* and *weak* still plague me. When starting a new workout, I often begin with the thought *I'm not strong enough, but I'll give it a shot." These labels haven't stopped me, but they probably do hold me back a little.
I shall work harder at overcoming these last vestiges of self-doubt.
Standing ovation! I have come to realise all of this over the last few months. Especially how something can be hard but still enjoyable if you can just say nice things to motivate yourself :-)
This is perfect. We are capable of so much if only we let ourselves try!
Tom-- Loved you on Miz!
Dr J-- ahh, all the best to you!
Cammy-- Great...trying is really half the battle!
antgirl-- Great! It's also realizing that you do it to begin with thats important.
Spring Girl-- :) You're too sweet. Its a good feeling to know you have the power to change it!
Sagan-- YES!
~rupal
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