My Wellness Thoughts

Negative to Positive Associations

As I walked with a client toward our exercise destination, I witnessed an amazing subconscious phenomenon in regards to exercise. I asked my new client what her favorite food was. When she responded that it was pizza, she also smiled. So, I asked, “How would you feel eating a pizza right now?” She quickly said, “Good!” She also added, “Fulfilled and excited.” I recognized that she associated the thought of pizza with positive attributes. After that exchange I hypothesized that she just might have something negative to stay when I ask about the gym. Not a moment after the word gym was uttered did her face cringe, lips curl up and she said I would rather be home. She told me that she associated working with pain, discomfort and sweat (she does not enjoy sweating). Just as I thought, she holds onto a negative mental association of working out. Fortunately we continued to walk to our workout location.

This was an important discovery on day one of her journey to a healthier more active lifestyle. Currently, she finds enjoyment in some foods that will not help her get closer to her goal and she does not find enjoyment in exercising so she can burn more calories. I shared my training style with her. I emphasize lifestyle adjustment, mentality shift and mental reconditioning during my training sessions more than I do weight loss. By initiating the necessary change in the mind then the body will begin to adopt the habits for reaching desired goals and maintaining the new lifestyle and physique. I believe that addressing only weight loss through vigorous exercise routines applies a micro solution to a macro problem.

I remember hearing Anthony Robins, motivational speaker; speak about psychological associations and how they can dictate the actions people take. I agreed with his point that we often do the things that provide us some type of enjoyment; whether it is work, church, the gym or even the couch near the television. If we associate positive thoughts with the activity we will continue to do it, but when we attach negative associations to activities then we are less likely to either begin or even continue that activity. I shared this philosophy with my client so that she can begin the process of understanding the mentality that she will have to accept to get and stay where she is trying to go physically.

Her goal is to lose 30 pounds by November. Is it possible? Yes. The sooner that she can transfer the positive associations with pizza over to simply being active, not just in the gym; she will be well on her way. By uncovering her feelings about working out she will be able to better address her weight loss challenge. Her first goal is to apply several positive associations to the idea of exercising as well as making healthier food choices. For example, eliminate the idea of working out and focus on being active, which can take place anywhere. She should also recognize the increased energy level and ability to perform daily routines more efficiently minus the heavy breathing. She could look for healthy alternatives to her current favorite foods like choosing a slice of wheat pizza with veggies instead of pepperoni pizza. By changing the mental associations that are tied to working out and healthy eating you can improve your fitness level, decrease fatigue as well as provide your body the nourishment it has been craving to protect against illness and disease. Be inspired, be great, AND BE fit!

For more insightful topics, tips and strategies on wellness visit my website www.patspowerhour.com

Overweight and in shape is better than just being overweight

The attempt to change your physical condition and appearance is more of a mental challenge than a physical challenge. Once you understand that your body will do exactly what your mind commands it to do, then you will realize that your physical goals are waiting for you to begin. Is this process easy? No, not by any stretch of the imagination is it easy nor is it doable by everybody. The possibility of making a healthier lifestyle change does exist. We can exercise to make our heart and respiratory system stronger, eat better to reduce fat and protect our bodies against illness and disease.

We may get over the hurdles of being sedentary and junk food junkies, but we just don’t lose the last 10 pounds we want or get into that size 6 piece of clothing. Reality check time. You may have just come to your ideal size and now it’s time to maintain what you have worked so hard for and be proud of the lifestyle, size and overall condition you have transformed into. I have worked with a client who was 284 pounds at her heaviest and her only activity was her movement during her job which had her on the road a lot. When we first met she had recently had a surgical procedure and was down to about 241. After working together and her making a commitment to herself that she would not be that 280 plus pound individual in the old picture frames around the house she understood the big picture. She now exercises no less than 4 times a week, is more conscious of the food she eats (yes calorie counting) and is down to 218 pounds. She has been able to ride over 8 miles on her bike, sustain more than 20 minutes on the row machine and even curl 20 lb dumbbells at least 4 times. These are all things that she has never accomplished before. She has adopted a new lifestyle and realizes that she may not get down to 150 pounds, but she feels better, stronger, more confident and knows that if she stops that the woman in the old picture frames will become the current woman in the frame.

Some of us would just rather be overweight than in better shape. There are so many priorities in our lives that our health takes a backseat until it is thrown into the driver’s seat after a serious talk with the doctor that reveals; hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, a primary risk factor for coronary artery disease. There are many ways to get assistance for the journey that some of you have envisioned and have not quite mustered up the momentum to physically begin. There are nutritionists, dieticians, personal trainers, wellness coaches, counselors, weight loss programs (jenny Craig, weight watchers, etc.), videos, audio cds, and even surgical procedures.

The vast options available may just be too over whelming, especially when you begin to receive contradicting information. The motivating factors soon become de-motivating factors. No matter who you decide to listen to, remember that ultimately you must listen to the final decision maker, YOU! Many people who are concerned about their weight but are hesitant to take action are very wise decision makers, planners, managers and critical thinkers in other areas of their lives. You can transfer the mentality of being a dedicated and focused supervisor at work to becoming the same type of supervisor of yourself. Your journey will begin when you can answer a question like; “Do I want to change the way I look, eat and feel.”

As a personal trainer I have chosen to make an impact in people’s lives where I am only a small percentage of the end results. I and other professionals can provide the tools to help you build the lifestyle and body you want within reason, but that client, friend and even family member must use them to complete the job. Be inspired, be great, AND BE fit!

For more insightful topics, tips and strategies on wellness visit my website www.patspowerhour.com