Keep it Positive!

It's a common emotion to "hate" your eating and fitness habits. I used to say I hate my...then list a body part. Putting negative emotions towards what we are doing and want to change seems to help put us in gear to make the changes we need. But is there a more effective way?

Negativity is contagious. We've seen one grumpy person ruin an entire groups good feelings. The same goes for our life. If we fuel negative feelings towards aspects of our lives that we want to change, there is a chance that those feelings can spill over to other aspects.

But positivity is just as contagious. Think about a kind gesture from a stranger. The idea of paying it forward with kindness. Just a smile can help us deal with a bad day sometimes. Applying that concept to our health and fitness is the same. Stop saying "I hate" and start the sentence with "It would make me happy to..." It could just spill over into other parts of our lives. So here are mine.

Instead of saying I hate my legs because they are not muscular enough.
I will say "I can improve my leg muscles by working hard at the gym on leg day."

It seems cheesy. But try it, you'll be surprised at how much a little positive talk can change your outlook on life! It could just be good for your New Fit Body.

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow.

This is always true. I find that when I over sleep, eat crappy for a few meals, and just over all lose motivation over the course of the day that I assure myself of promises of tomorrow. It's very easy to put things off or validate the poor diet and exercise decisions we make by saying "tomorrow I will eat better" or "tomorrow I will wake up earlier and go to the gym."

But the truth is today is the best day to start. To make the commitment to getting to the gym, to eat a balanced healthy diet. I am guilty of doing this to myself time and time again. Thank you Nike for pointing that out. But that the point of inspiring quotes and pictures. To inspire us to take a look at ourselves, to reflect if the message is something we want to embrace, and change to bring ourselves closer to our goals.

So today, I said "tomorrow". My roomie was there to hear me say it. And sitting here tonight looking at this poster, I realize today I had the time. I just didn't go to the gym. So tomorrow I will say "today." I will get my butt out of bed, I will take my butt to the gym, and I will say yes to foods that are aligned with my diet goals. The gym is closed now, so that will still be tomorrow. But tonight I sit here eating my black bean burrito with guacamole and other veggies saying "today I will eat healthy." Even though my lunch had gone off track.

Every day's work out goals and diet choices should start with "today" and not "tomorrow."  Putting off these goals only pushes them one day further into our future instead of starting the journey now. It's not easy. I sometimes pop out of bed with motivation. Other days I drag myself out of bed only to resent having to go to the gym. But I think the key is to keep saying today I start my journey. Today I will work for all my goals. I hope that will help keep me motivated even on the days that I want to say "tomorrow."