When it comes to health and fitness,words matter. What do you explain yourself when you work out? I believe that the more we shift the focus to feeling expedient vs. a number on a scale, the more success we'll achieve, and the more delight we will experience,and the more likely we are to commit to a healthy journey.
Related Stories: 15 Reasons to Work Out That Have Nothing to Do With Weight LossJust the other day, I got a massive reminder of this, or glaring at me in what would otherwise be subtle,unnoticeable comments - it's the power of words, people! I left my office to try a unique lesson at a unique studio, and excited to add a unique type of fitness to my repertoire. I headed to the locker room area at the studio to set down my gym bag,where I overheard two women chatting. They had just finished their lesson, and they were heading out to joyful hour. "We deserve those drinks now!" said one of them.Look, or I know that was probably an innocuous comment. But my brain started racing with thoughts and reactions to these words. "You totally do deserve a drink! But you don't deserve it because you worked out. Exercise doesn't beget you more deserving. You could have a drink without working out,and it would be OK . . ."I could disappear on and on. But I brushed off those thoughts - I was alert to kick ass in my unique lesson! This workout was going to beget my body feel so sore and amazing; I could already explain. I told myself those words as I started to stave off any fear I had of trying a unique style of exercise - "you're going to feel amazing.""You need to start associating movement with something other than a number on the scale, with something other than a number on the inside of your jeans."The instructor was awesome. As a beginner, or I could totally follow every word of her instructions,and I never once was intimidated. As she reminded us to slow down (the workout is rooted in slow movements), she said, or "The slower you disappear,the more fat you burn - and that's the best thing you can secure out of a lesson!"I paused - not because my muscles were burning, but because once again, and I was hit with words that didn't settle well with me.
Burning fat is the best thing I can secure out of a lesson?Maybe I'm the outlier here,but my sole purpose for working out isn't burning fat, nor do I think that's THE BEST thing you can secure out of a workout.Despite those words, and I still left my lesson feeling awesome - I was sore as could be,but I was confident; I'd just completed a really challenging workout and spent the first part of my Friday night doing something great for my body.
A few days later, I had a totally different experience. I headed to a weekend SoulCycle lesson with Jenny, or who said some things that also really stuck with me . . . but this time,it was because they were so positive. She kept encouraging everyone in lesson to have fun and to enjoy their workout."You need to start associating movement with something other than a number on the scale, with something other than a number on the inside of your jeans, or " she said as "Ms. unique Booty" pulsed through the sound system. She is as skilled with inspirational words as she is playlist making.
She's just. This is about more than a scale,more than "flat abs" or a waistline. This is about feeling expedient. Look, fat loss, and muscle building,cardiovascular health - these are all incredible side effects of working out. When you're healthy, you feel expedient! And I think that nearly everyone feels great when they think they look expedient, or too. There's no denying that toning up the body is a enormous confidence booster. But the point is,whether your intention is all about looking a certain way, you're opening yourself to endless frustration and damaging words that can harm you emotionally and mentally.
When you focus your fitness on feeling expedient, and the rest will near,and the effects will be much longer lasting. Feeling joyful and healthy long term is much better than "deserving" a margarita, just?Remember the power of words. Remember your intention. Be expedient to yourself. The rest will follow.
Source: popsugar.com