Wednesday, 17 November 2010
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What They Didn't Prepare You For: Pre-Workout Mindset & Preparation
As someone that's just starting to workout, I know that it's hard to get started. Throughout my high school years I was about 20 pounds heavier, with a low self esteem, and a mind that was set on failure. The moment working out got tough, I got discouraged and I wanted to quit... which is sadly what I did until now, my freshman year of college.
With all of the health and high school gym classes I took, they prepared me as far as eating right and exercise could go. What they didn't prepare me for was how to think.
Many people might think that if you really want something it's easy to accomplish. That's however not true for many people like myself. It's only human nature to get discouraged, and have your moments of weakness.
What made me finally want to get out there and workout and be healthy was a change of my mindset. People made their jokes about me being "fat" or saying things such as "you're cute...but not pretty," which was pretty upsetting to me. Whether they were joking or not, I'm not sure but it was a wake up call. I realized, that I wasn't happy about myself. I knew that I didn't eat healthily, and my lack of movement made me squishier than I preferred. All of that made me really want to work hard.
So here's what I did:
1.) I told myself, wishing I could have that body I've always wanted wasn't going to get me anywhere. I had to change my lifestyle by eating better and exercising more.2.) I let myself know that I wasn't going to be able to accomplish anything unless I really tried my best...and if I tried my best than I could accomplish all that I wanted.
3.) I started writing down all of these things I wanted to accomplish, starting from easiest to more difficult. (It's said that if you make a list, crossing those that are finished motivates you to move on to the next step.)
4.) I told all of my friends and parents when I was going to workout. That way, if I felt like not going through with my word, I felt like a liar furthermore motivating me to just do it.
5.) I always remind myself that once I get to where I want to be, I'll be proud of myself with a sense of accomplishment.Basically, I just gave myself positive reinforcement. I stayed optimistic, and remind myself that accomplishing each little thing will give me a confidence booster with a sense of pride.
What weren't you prepared for when you decided to make a healthy lifestyle change? What is your pre-workout mindset? How do you get prepared for a big change?
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About the Author
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- From: nihaokeisha@xanga
- Name: nihaokeisha
- Location: Evansville, Indiana, United States
- About Me: I'm just a college student discovering new things about myself everyday, and living life's adventures.
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Comments (6)
Wow. Her jaw is nicely chiseled.
Yeah, exercising takes a certain mindset I didn't have when I was chunky. Before I run, I have dreams of running and they're AMAZING. Usually, it's just me and endless concrete running underneath a spotlight.I wasn't prepared for all the laziness I'd feel when I finally promised myself to put our treadmill to use. :\
It's soo true that working out is a mental thing. Although I've always been active, I'm training for my first marathon and I have had my share of no motivation. Even if I am motivated, I have to think positively or I may have a crappy workout. It definitely helps to tell people what you have planned, that way you are more accountable.
DBAP - Don't be a pansy
This sucks, take a straw and suck it up.Why you looking so small?Stop being weak.You took the words right out of my mouth.
This is SO true, and something I've been telling my mom... she wants to get in shape, but does nothing about it, and it's SO hard to watch because she has all sorts of health problems, to include diabetes (her and my aunt both have it). I've told her to remember that the only way she'll ever get in shape is to actually do something about it. Just thinking about it and talking about it just won't work... I used to be chubby too... not fat, but at not even 5'1" and 126 pounds (not much of it muscle), I wasn't looking my best... I started running and trying to eat better. Now I maintain about 110-115, WITH muscle, and look and feel soooo much better. I still wouldn't mind being a little slimmer, but I do like to drink sometimes and go out with friends on weekends, and I'm pretty happy where I am (unless I'm PMS'ing... then not so much) :)
When I feel lazy I just keep telling myself how easy it is to keep making excuses not to workout, and eat the wrong things, and eventually end up back where I started. I mean there are days when I don't eat right, and there are days when I don't workout, but I don't beat myself up... I just keep pressing forward. If I DO end up gaining a few pounds (tends to happen whenever I switch environments... for example, moving tends to do it, when I first started college, or when I'm going through crazy busy days where I'm getting no sleep), I just visualize myself where I want to be, and I can usually lose those extra pounds in a couple of weeks.