The Power Within… Just Change Your Mind!

 

 

            A few weeks ago I had the honor of attending a lecture given by Dr. Wayne Dyer a well published and known author of many self-help, mind-spirit-body and psychology books.  It was a wonderful lecture about the power of the mind.  The topic of this evening was from his most recent book “Change your thoughts, Change your life.”  I’ve noticed over the last few months that throughout this past year, I have come to a new understanding regarding health issues and personal fitness opportunities.  I’d never classify myself as well “knowledged” as Dr. Dyer, but I too, have come to the conclusion and understanding of how powerful the mind is with our personal health and fitness issues.  You’ve all heard me discuss how our “brain cells” hold us back from making some of the most important decisions in our lives.  I’m a firm believer that the reason that most people (and it is truly “most” people in the US) don’t exercise and take better care of themselves is because they haven’t made up their minds to do it.

 

            So the lecture that I attended talked in depth about how our thoughts, up-bringing, beliefs and decisions affect our lives in so many ways.  We’ve been conditioned through so many aspects of our past. Our thought patterns and beliefs have been completely influenced by not only our personal upbringing and genetic patterns; but by society and friendships and habits and life.  So many things affect us on a daily basis, forcing us to make decisions that aren’t necessarily in the best interest of ourselves.  Yet, we all possess the power of knowing this and overcoming it.  Particularly, when we are discussing our own personal health and fitness.

 

            “Brain cells” and “thoughts.”  Aren’t they both one in the same?  I believe that most people aren’t healthy and fit, because somewhere deep in those “brain cells” they have made a conscious decision to not be so.  They have made a conscious decision that exercise and practicing healthy eating and lifestyle habits is something that “they can’t do or don’t want to do or choose not to do.”  Their “brain cells or thought patterns” are keeping them from being healthy.

 

            So when I attended the lecture “Change your thoughts, Change your life.” I was all over it!  I believe that people make up their minds to not be healthy.  I believe that every one of us has the power within to push ourselves away from the table when we’re full and to get up when that alarm clock goes off to exercise and to make these things happen.  It’s easier to ignore it and then just let life happen instead of taking your health and fitness by the horns and changing your thoughts.  Today’s world encourages laziness and terrible health, so you’ve got to make up your mind to not allow the pressures of today’s life or of any kind of past life to influence healthier and more fit behaviors. You’ve got to make up your mind first!

 

            Change your thoughts?  This is no easy task!  You want me to change the way I think about everything? I don’t want to!  There’s your starting point.  Yes you do, particularly when it comes to your health and fitness!  Changing your thoughts about exercise and healthy habits will only make you feel a ton better (and I’m serious about that ton!).  Changing your thoughts about “I don’t have enough time” will only give you the opportunity to find the time.  If your thoughts are centered around “now, when can I get my workout into my day (?)” instead of thinking “there’s no way I’ll ever get to the gym today!”  You see where I’m going with this?  You’re brain cells have the power!

 

            I deal with excuses and explanations every day.  In fact, I know that people duck to hide behind miscellaneous food items at Safeway when they see me shopping, because they know that they haven’t been to the gym or done their exercise routine in a while.  You see, they “know” it already!  Their thoughts are already there and they “know” what the results will bring them.

 

            So stop ducking behind isles and hiding behind excuses!  I dare you to change your thoughts about exercise and healthy habits.  If you make the change with your thinking, you will change your life.  I promise!

 

 

Deborah Holmes

November 5, 2007