I had a conversation with a woman this week. As the conversation progressed she asked me what I did for a living. When I told her I was a personal trainer and fitness instructor she responded the same way a lot of people respond - with excuses. Excuses of why she can't exercise, why she can't give up desserts, why she doesn't lose weight - none of which were valid. The mere mention of my profession sends some people into a flurry of justifications; it just comes with the job.
I didn't pass judgement on this woman; eight years ago I was just like her. Instead of condemning her I feel for her. She has trapped herself in her mind and in her body. She has already made up her mind that she can't exercise, can't eat healthy, and can't lose weight. Then she confirmed her negative thoughts by speaking the words aloud.
After speaking with her, I realized that we all trap ourselves. We speak negativity over our lives all the time; "I can't lose weight", "I'm so stupid", "I can't remember", "I hate my thighs", etc. Negativity can damage our health just the same as any physical illness. It can affect our immune system and leave us vulnerable to sickness and depression.
As we celebrate our freedom on Independence Day, I challenge you to become free from negative thinking and speaking. Don't let yourself be trapped by your own thoughts. As you catch yourself starting to speak or think something adverse turn it around and proclaim the opposite, even if it isn't true. For example, if you say, "I never get break", announce "I am blessed." Try it for a week. You'll open yourself up to the positive side of life. You might even start appreciating your thighs!
Have a happy 4th and EAT INTENTIONALLY!
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5 comments:
I could not agree more, Cindy; I once took a self esteem class where the instructor said something that has stayed with me all these years. He said that negative self talk was simply not allowed by any of us. He told us instead when confronted by a negative person, we should silently repeat the mantra (although he did not call it a mantra), "No matter what you say or do to me, I know I am still a worthwhile person." I found this a valuable tool for the person who talked me into taking the class with her (she had very little, if any self esteem). It helped her tremendously. Me...well the instructor told me I should not even be in the class, as I had way too much self esteem. What he did not know was how long it had taken me to reach that point and the scars I accumulated along the way.
Cindy, I love your positive outlook. Thanks for the motivation. Kim
You make some great points; I make excuses myself. Sometimes they are excuses and sometimes they are reasons. I do suffer from anxiety disorders and some bouts of depression. I have to remind my husband that we are not all cut from the same mold. For example I have very high cholesterol while always watching red meat intake, other fats, etc. I'm also hypoglycemic. My hubby likes beer, steak, brats, ho-hos...and is healthy as a horse.
But regardless of all that, I have absolutely no energy. At this point, it is all I can do to function a desk job for 9 hours. All I think about is "rest" when I wake up in the morning, when I get off work, when I get home from Walmart, etc. My husband says I need to "just do it" when it comes to being active. I'm not overweight just extremely fatigued--all the time. Can you post/recommend a (healthy) energy drink or bar, a fruit, a juice, vitamin complex or something that could HELP give me the kick in the butt that I also need to give myself?
(By the way, I'm not registed yet. I'm not some lurker; I just need to create a profile (when I get the energy-(ha ha). In the meantime, I'm using a gmail account to post this.)
I have been THE most negative person as you may know and mainly towards myself of course. I am so "good" at it I really do not hear it. So needless to say I love this post. And if you want to repost it every week I will read it! Its funny how i delayed reading this post until today. Its a beautiful morning for a fresh start!
ps I love my thighs! Its taken me many a years to get them so lovely LOL
Thanks for all of your comments! Keep them coming!
To answer K:
I would need more info from you before I would feel comfortable enough to recommend anything. If you would like to email me so we can correspond privately, I would be happy to offer some suggestions.
cindy@functionalfitnessonline.net
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