Terri Ramsey Beavers Everyone would agree that keeping fit is physically challenging, but there’s a mental aspect that most people forget. Motivation, mindfulness, focus, and discipline are essential to achieving any fitness goals – and these all begin in the mind. In most cases, the success or failure of any fitness journey depends on your ability to overcome mental barriers like a lack of motivation, negative thinking, and a lack of confidence. Remember that your emotions, thoughts, and feelings drive your behavior, including your approach to fitness. The following tips can help you overcome the mental barriers to reaching your fitness goals.
1. Build your confidence
A lack of confidence can cripple your workout progress and fitness goals, especially when you’re starting your journey for the first time. For many, hitting the gym takes a lot of courage, particularly those sensitive about their weight. Some also feel timid at the sight of gym equipment and weights they haven’t tried before. If you’re one of such, learn to build your confidence. How?
Start by ignoring everyone else, including the gym influencers recording with their phones. If you struggle to go to the gym by yourself, find a partner to walk in with you. You can also give a personal trainer a go. These experts know how to keep your mind away from the distractions in the gym.
2. Address your attitude toward fitness
Your mindset about fitness, including negative thoughts and a poor self-image, can become a massive stumbling block in your way to reaching your fitness goals. That usually happens when you’ve failed several times in previous attempts to get in shape. You might end up developing a negative attitude towards exercise and fitness in general and constantly discourage yourself.
Address your attitude towards fitness and learn to refrain from negative thoughts. It’s still possible to reach your goals, regardless of your past failures. Consider behavioral health consulting services to help you cultivate a positive attitude and self-image. You’ll be able to learn cognitive behavioral techniques designed to help you challenge self-defeating beliefs that discourage you from working out.
3. Stop making excuses
You can always find an excuse not to exercise if you want one. Of course, that’s not to suggest that all excuses are bad, as some may be genuine. For example, ill health or mounting responsibilities can make you hit a fitness plateau.
However, if you find yourself constantly pulling out one excuse after another, now might be the time to stop. Excuses are a massive psychological barrier, as they give you reasons not to push further, ignoring all the other reasons why you should.
4. Nurture a mindset of resilience
Always have a positive outlook and maintain a strong self-belief, regardless of the challenges you face. You can practice visualization, meditation, positive self-talk, positive reinforcement, and other mindfulness practices to help keep negative thoughts at bay.
Also, start taking smaller steps towards your fitness goals, as that will help you build resilience and keep you motivated through your fitness journey. With resilience, you can stay motivated no matter how challenging it gets.