More Ways To Get Into the Right Mindset to Get Fit
By Genevieve Smith
While working those muscles may seem like the clear route to get the body of your dreams, sometimes it takes a little mental work. Roadblocks come up, namely lack of motivation or going a little too hard on yourself. Could you incorporate some new mindsets and strategies to get you all the way to your fitness goals? Let’s go over a few mental exercises.
Take a breath before eating post-workout - Yes, you burned a lot of calories. And yes, you need to refuel. But most people overestimate how much they need to eat post crunch-time. The mind may tell you you’re ravished. Stay grounded and have a snack before launching into a full-on meal to avoid making hasty food decisions.
Keep calm at the gym - If you’re feeling like you’re overwhelmed and don’t know what you’re doing -- be not discouraged! Take a walk around and learn where all the equipment is. Look at how people are using various machines. Start deciding which ones you would like to tackle. But before even signing up for a yearlong contract, get sweaty outside the gymnasium walls to develop a relationship with your over-perspired self. Once you know a bit more about the "Workout You," you’ll be more set up for success once navigating through the jungle gym.
Acknowledge and accept a state of discomfort - Know that your muscles will be sore, you’ll be hungrier than pre-regular exerciser you once were, and sometimes you just won’t want to be doing the workout. Find variety in your routine to stay engaged, but otherwise, push through. Change happens gradually, and accepting that the journey will come with trials will help you be more prepared for the tougher times. Know that after enough time of being a regular exerciser, there will be less discomfort and more familiarity. You will adjust.
Habit makes perfect - Sure, you’re not feeling an all-out workout today. Could you handle a few exercises in bed, or on the couch while binging on TV? Get into the habit of exercising, no matter how you fit it into each day. Jackknife sit-ups, half-bridges, leg circles and the Pilates clam can all be done on a chill day in bed. Try to commit to crunches before work. It doesn’t have to be a big overwhelming responsibility. Just get moving a little bit each day.
Exercise can be tough to get into, but it pays you back. Your arteries are healthier, and endorphin levels surge. Keep it moving to keep motivation up, and find what works for you in the process. Remember that it makes a big difference how you approach your fitness, from a mental standpoint. Ease yourself into learning different machines at the gym, strive to be realistic and pragmatic in your journey, and more than anything else, go for a little movement -- every day.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Decatur, Ga.