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 begins in the mind.
Five Mindsets for 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. Nick Vujicic was born without arms and legs. His life was not 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 understood that everyone needs love and hope, and that he was uniquely positioned to share it with others. 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. They master the skill of consistency, and long term, their metabolism begins to pay back to them! Their metabolism and hormonal system are working efficiently so they can burn fat more effectively during workouts or at rest.
Mindset #3: Healthy people influence their friends and family members in positive, inspiring ways and bring them along for the journey.
Mark, one of my most inspirational clients, had spent many years on a downward spiraling addiction path of drugs, alcoholism, and jail time. He could have easily lost the rest of his life. He hired me to rebuild his body 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. One aspect of this training entails looking at the bright side of a situation. This is 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. 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 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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