No matter how fit or healthy we may feel, we all have some influence on how we think and what our past experiences have done to us. 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. This was something I discovered more deeply while completing my master’s in sports psychology. It also helped me to see the lives of my clients and colleagues change dramatically by changing their 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. 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 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? After all, you did 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. 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 influence their friends and family members in positive, inspiring ways and bring them along for 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 lost the rest of his life. He hired me and we began rebuilding his physique and life. Mark dedicated his whole life to good nutrition and better workouts. 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.
Mindset #4: Healthy people focus on opportunities instead of obstacles.
Sports psychologists use mental skills training to help enhance athletes’ performance. 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. Practicing a daily positive attitude is a source of inner strength and overall health.
Mindset #5: Healthy people see fear differently – they learn to act in spite of 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
For additional information about Stef Basso visit this net page