It’a All in your Head
Can you get fit and healthy if you’re not focused and sure of why you want to do it? Sure you can. Will the results be permanent? In all likelihood, no. Without the proper mindset, you will be easily distracted from your goal. In addition, workouts and healthy eating tend to be more of a chore rather than something you look forward to.
Step One
The first phase of your healthy makeover should be informational. Spend a fair amount of time soaking in as much info as you can about fitness and nutrition. Pull out those cookbooks that are collecting dust and get some new recipes. Most cookbooks have light recipes that can easily be adapted to your tastes. If you tend to surf the net, or play solitaire while at work, do some research instead. (Make sure you have one of those screens where you can hide what you’re doing in case the boss walks by). This stage may have to be re-visited if motivation starts to wane. Most important, be flexible and be prepared to experiment, and give yourself permission to succeed. Another point to ponder is that the road to optimal health, well-being and fitness is paved with more than the physical. A total integration of mind, body, and fitness is the winning formula.
Emotional Fitness
Over half of our energy level depends on our emotional fitness. Enthusiasm, motivation, fun and satisfaction should constantly be replenished. These emotional energies are in balance when we get sufficient activity (that we enjoy) and eat well.
Mental Fitness
In order to be in perfect balance, (or as close as we can get) you must train your mind as well. Try a few mental exercises daily.
- Try spending five minutes of mental or physical activity for every hour you spend at the computer.
- Do word puzzles, and crosswords. If you have space do a jigsaw puzzle.
- Laugh. A little goes a long way and will improve your mood, decrease stress, and it’s reputed to burn calories.
- If possible rearrange your office and brighten it up a bit.
- Be ambidextrous.
- Chill out and just be still for a few minutes. Take some slow deep breaths, or meditate.
- Once a day multiply together two double-digit numbers without pencil and paper.
Go Easy On You
Every workout and grilled chicken breast will not make you jump for joy; no matter how committed you are to the cause. There will always be those days when real bacon is more appealing than turkey, and watching Scary Movie 3 wins out over the treadmill. When that happens don’t beat yourself up about it, just get back on track.
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