Oh, the Concentration it Takes…

It’s been fascinating to watch the concentration that the athletes of the Olympics show! I’ve found myself interested in how each athlete acts in their pre-event “psyche” or “readiness” for their event. I found myself cracking up at Jamaica’s, Usain Bolt, as he readied himself for the 100 meter race. He was goofy, relaxed, showing off and obviously very confident in his race. Then there was the girl hurdler who talked to herself, I found myself trying to figure out what she kept saying to herself. There are always those individuals who are so focused, that they look mad at the world and don’t look like they even want to be there. What about Michael Phelps and being plugged into his iPod every time he walked on deck before his swimming events?

As we’ve all heard and know in our own individual ways, the power of the mind is a spectacular thing. What do they say; humans only use a small part of our brain? (… it just amazes me that they can figure this stuff out) Just today in the car my oldest son was telling us that he and his friend have decided that if we all used our entire brain, we’d probably all explode from the power it could enforce. He said that he wants to learn how to use his entire brain because he could do amazing things if he did. I suggested that he should start with the “be nicer to his sister” part of his brain cells since he obviously isn’t using that cellular structure these days.

If athletes learn to concentrate and focus on their athletic event, taking out all the distractions and making the right choices so that they are successful, wouldn’t you think that we could use some of the same tactics with our lifetime Olympic event of healthy living? The athletes from around the world have got to have their “head in the game” to even get to the caliber of competition that the Olympics provide. They make decisions on a daily basis, often minute by minute, about everything that will allow them to achieve success.

I’ve recently used this saying that “health is not a one-time decision.” You will not tell yourself or make up your mind to be healthy just one time and then “low and behold” you are doing everything right. No, living healthy is a constant state of decision making, all of which you must keep “your head in the game” about. Just like the athletes, you must decide every food item that you eat. Just like the athletes, you must decide how much sleep you are going to allow yourself tonight. Just like the athletes, you must decide to exercise today. Just like the athletes, you must keep in touch with health care providers, coaches, friends and family. Just like athletes, you must hydrate well. Just like athletes, you must practice time management. Just like athletes, you must focus on your goals.

You might decide 20 times a day (or more) to make the right choices about yourself and that’s when you need to keep your head in your game and concentrate on your goal. You want to lose ten pounds? Then that’s the focus you must direct those brain cells toward and keep your eyes on that goal. When you finally put on your “game face” and start that pre-event “psyche” or “readiness” then the decisions will become easier and you will achieve that gold medal success of being ten pounds lighter.

Our health and fitness is the most important event of our lives and if you don’t attack it with that “gold medal” standard then you can expect major deductions to your quality of life in the future. I’ve said it a number of times and still believe it whole heartedly, that our brain keeps us from achieving so many things in life, just as it is completely responsible for most of our personal successes. If you don’t make up your mind to be healthy, there is no one in the world who can do it for you! You must be that athlete on the starting block and start your game planning for life. Are you ready?

 

Deborah Holmes

August 19, 2008