"Whether you think you can, or think you can't, you're right." -- Henry Ford The other day, I was chillin' in the backyard with my daughter, and she was in a horrible mood. The kind of mood that leaves her flopping on the ground, with every ounce of 4-year old drama. She was pretending to visit the grocery store, but the wagon she was pulling kept toppling over. Oh the injustice! I tried to console her, inviting her to try again. At which point she wailed, "but the grocery store is closed now!" Being a pretend grocery store, it was only closed because she decided it was closed. But at one point or another, she chose to believe that the entire world was against her. As much as I hate to admit it, I am no stranger to this same frame of mind. The lens through which I see the world can be tipped towards “woe-is-me” at the drop of a hat. Particularly when I’m hungry. Or tired. Or there isn’t any chocolate in the house. Or my hair has gone from cute to complete disaster. And then all of a sudden. Just like that. The entire world. My worst enemy. Mindset can absolutely change the course of your life. And today, I'm gonna dig into 3 super simple mindset shifts you can make in order to maximize your fitness game. Here we go. COMMUNITY VS. COMPETITION For me, community is the #1 thing....the backbone, if you will.....of fitness. It can be such a lonely road if you're relying only on yourself. And an even lonelier road if you’re taking on a "me vs. them" mindset. Don't get me wrong. Competition can be a really good thing. But it's gotta have the right backdrop. If competition is based on negative comparison (My God! Look at her pipes! I can't workout next to her....I'll look like a weakling!), it can only hurt you. Having a community mindset, however, will help you see that there are mentors all around you. People who are so willing to encourage you, and support you, and lift you up. REWARD VS. PUNISHMENT All too often, working out it seen as punishment. Punishment for something we ate. Punishment for something we did. And punishment for having a good fuckin' time. Ever have a Netflix and taco night.....only to feel extreme guilt, even before the credits roll? This punishment mindset is the exact opposite of healthy. It’s the kind of thinking that turns fitness into penance. It turns sweat into past-due taxes. In which case, you're only ever playing catch-up. And feeling like shit for indulging in life. Working out is one of the best ways to love yourself. And guys, by honouring our bodies with movement, we show gratitude for this incredible vehicle we’ve been given. By working out, we are gifting our future selves with the health to live out our dreams and desires. And what better gift can there be, than that?! I GET TO WORKOUT VS. I HAVE TO WORKOUT How many times have we taken our health for granted? How many times have we sprained our ankle, or injured our back, or gotten the stomach flu, only to realize that we had it pretty good....back in the day......last week.....when we could run a mile with ease. Don't wait for the wake-up call in order to value your health. If you have the ability to work up a sweat, you've got it made! My dad is the perfect example of someone who views fitness as an incredible opportunity. And because of that, he is one of my biggest idols. He's currently living with cancer, and yet he goes to the gym every day. His mindset? "I am so grateful to be able to wake up in the morning, go the gym, and feel alive." Working out is a privilege. And we should be so lucky. There you have it! 3 simple mindset shifts that will help you take your fitness game to the next level! I encourage you to implement these shifts in little ways each day....and soon, you will find yourself thinking with powerful positivity! Cheers to new mindsets and new accomplishments!
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