No matter how healthy or fit we feel we have become, at some level we are affected by our past conditioning and how we think. I was not born a sports-mad kid. Actually, I was quite the opposite. At 10 years old, I was a very overweight little girl. I felt complete embarrassment. I felt immense shame. I felt like a defect.
My health and fitness didn’t really start to thrive until I started modeling my mindset after other truly healthy and fit individuals. This was something I discovered more deeply while completing my master’s in sports psychology. It also helped me to see the lives of my clients and colleagues change dramatically by changing their thoughts. Everything begins in the mind.
5 Mindsets of the Healthy –
Mindset #1: Healthy people believe they are in total control of their destiny as opposed to their destiny is predetermined.
The healthy don’t ever allow physical limitations to stop them from achieving their divine destiny. Born without arms & legs, Nick Vujicic’s life was certainly never easy. His life is filled with joy and purpose after overcoming adversity. At 30 years old, Nick has a wife and they travel the world, speaking to the masses with inspiring messages of hope and accomplishment. He realized that we all need love and hope and that he was in a unique position to share that with people. He also says “Dream big my friend and never give up. Everyone makes mistakes. But no one is perfect. How can the world rise from your presence? You did indeed arrive for a divine purpose.
Mindset #2: Healthy people put their metabolism to work instead of trading off their health for time.
A healthy metabolism investor is well-informed on nutrition and a workout program that works. Their metabolism starts to pay off long-term when they master the art of consistency. Because their hormonal system & metabolism are running efficiently, they can be burning fat more efficiently during workouts and even at rest!
Mindset #3: Healthy people influence their friends and family members in positive, inspiring ways and bring them along for the journey.
One of my most inspiring clients, ‘Mark’, had spent years on a downhill addictive path of drugs and alcoholism, & jail time. He could have easily lost the rest of his life. He hired me to rebuild his body and life. Mark dedicated his whole life to good nutrition and better workouts. In addition to helping Mark get to a muscular and shredded 5% body fat, I also helped him accomplish one of his life goals of becoming a certified personal trainer! Today, Mark is sober and continues to help his family, friends, and community by his fitness example and training and has inspired many.
Mindset #4: Healthy people focus on opportunities instead of obstacles.
To improve athletes’ performance, sports psychologists employ mental skills training. This training involves looking at the positive side of any situation. This is a form of positive psychology. Seligman states that’seeing obstacles rather than opportunities’ doesn’t only affect behavior, but also affects the cellular level, making the immune system less passive. When faced with a challenge, healthy people are more likely to stick to their exercise program and not abandon it altogether. A positive outlook is an important part of your inner strength and overall well-being.
Mindset #5 – Healthy people perceive fear differently and learn to overcome it.
Pema Chodron said, “If you never know the nature of fear, then you can never be fearless.” Healthy people recognize the presence of fear and trek forward regardless because they understand that fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth, or higher accomplishments.
Stefanie Basso
NSCA Certified Trainer, NCSF Sport Nutrition Specialist BA Exercise Science, MS Sport Psychology
Ph.D. Holistic Nutrition San Diego, CA 92122
Email: [email protected], www.steffitness.com
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