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 certainly did not start out life as a fit kid naturally into sports. In fact, I was the complete 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 did not start to flourish until I began modeling my mentality after truly fit and healthy people. I learned this at a deeper level while attaining my master’s degree in sports psychology and seeing my colleagues’ and clients’ lives changing phenomenally by upgrading specific thoughts. Everything starts 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 said, “Dream big, my friend, and don’t 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.
The healthy metabolism investor has educated themselves on quality nutrition and a sound workout program that works for them. Their metabolism starts to pay off long-term when they master the art of consistency. Their metabolism and hormonal system are working efficiently so they can burn fat more effectively during workouts or at rest.
Mindset #3: Healthy people have a positive influence on their family members and friends, and they bring them along on 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 thrown the rest of his life away. He hired me and we began rebuilding his physique and life. Mark dedicated his entire life to quality nutrition, workouts, and a better life. Mark became a strong, muscular man and lost 5% of his body fat. I helped him achieve his personal training certification. Today, Mark is sober and continues to help his family, friends, and community by his fitness example and training and has inspired many.
Mentality #4: People who are healthy focus on the opportunities and not the 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. According to Seligman, ‘seeing obstacles instead of opportunities doesn’t just affect behavior; it also reaches down to the cellular level and makes the immune system more passive. Healthy individuals are less likely to give up on their exercise routine when a challenge arises. Practicing a daily positive attitude is a source of inner strength and overall health.
Mindset #5 – Healthy people perceive fear differently and learn to overcome it.
Pema Chodron stated, “If fear is not understood, you will 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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