From flab to fabulous
/By Paul Scicluna
Embarking on a physical training program brings rewards that can be achieved by little else. Whether exercising to stay fit, feel good, or just to look terrific, you can add power to your efforts by employing the insights and techniques used by high-achievers to obtain that 'look' you've always dreamed of!
Before beginning your journey on the road to fitness you must realise that you are in total control. Therefore you should have a real desire to be fit. A wishy-washy approach to fitness, or anything else for that matter, usually ends in failure. It is therefore wise to keep yourself motivated.
By realising that the power of your decision adds much weight to the reaching of any objective, you should fire yourself with enthusiasm for the task ahead.
The first and most important factor to employ is to release any past failures from your mind. Dwelling on past failures will only have an adverse affect on your current training. You can’t move forward if you’re focusing on what has been, or what’s behind you in your past.
If such thoughts occur ask yourself the question "why did I fail?" Perhaps you set your goals too high and thus they were a little too unrealistic. Or your time frame for achieving your goals was too short or too long. Or perhaps you were just plain lazy! Whatever the reason, look at it in an objective manner and learn from your mistakes. While learning from your mistakes, don’t dwell on the past. Plan to do it differently this time.
For example, aiming to lose 10kg in 2 weeks is unrealistic let alone potentially dangerous. Setting a more realistic goal of losing 10 kg in 10 weeks is more realistic. This is an ambitious goal and you could achieve it. Just take it day by day, week by week and focus. Focusing on the end result (the goal) is important, don’t sweat the small stuff! You need to stay focused.
If you need motivation, get the help from a health coach or a "good" qualified personal trainer. Why not get fit with your friends, colleagues or join a running group, for example? You could also gain some new friends in the process! Most of the time we fail due to making our own excuses. The choice is really yours, so choose to succeed not fail!
A major problem that is constantly rearing its ugly head is lack of enthusiasm. Almost every keep-fit enthusiast suffers from this dreaded state at one time or another, from championship bodybuilders to joggers. There is only one simple rule to follow when confronted with this negative state of mind - re-motivate yourself!
They key to this is being specific in your goals. Have a clear vision of what way you want to look and feel when you have achieved your objective. As you’re visualising this have feelings of passion running through you, get excited. Imagine how good you’d feel if you were right there achieving your goals. It’s awesome! Those feelings of passion are like a spark plug to an engine. It fires you up to keep going and keeps you on track.
Cut out and put a picture of your head over a picture of your ideal body type if you must, but be clear in your own head where you are going and what you will achieve. And, make sure you put a picture up of what you look like now. There’s nothing more exciting and motivating then comparing the new, fantastic you to the old you.
Also set smaller goals that easily show you have been making progress. Make note of your goal achievements. Write them down. Once you are feeling a lack of enthusiasm then look back at how far you have come. When you have reached each smaller goal tell yourself you’ve done a great job, which you have! Reaching each of these smaller goals ends up in achieving the overall result - reaching your main goal. So each one is progress.
Visualise your objective often or at least twice a day. Tell yourself that you are doing well and reward yourself when you reach a goal. Don’t reward yourself with bad food or drinks as that will have a negative effect and it’ll take longer to reach the main goal. Reward yourself by going to the movies or going on a long weekend away, for example. This will increase your self-esteem and keep your motivation high.
If a negative situation arises don't look at it as a problem but view it as a challenge. As you overcome your own inner and outer obstacles you will have proved that you are a success. Success breed’s success, so review your progress and modify your goals to be more challenging.
The potential to achieve anything is within you. Whether the end result of your training efforts is success or failure it is your choice. Give 100% and you will receive 100%. This quote sums it up as it really is up to you…
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't - you're right.”
- Henry Ford
Want to get from flab to fabulous? Get the Global Health Renegade Total Body and Health Transformation eBook for a comprehensive step by step guide to get your dream body while improving your health and wellbeing.
Copyright © Global Health Renegade. All rights reserved.