| As summer draws near, for many it signifies a time to | | | | and short-term goals should be identified. The |
| get fit and tone up in preparation for a holiday. | | | | long-term goal is your ultimate want and needs to be |
| It is well known that a combination of exercise and | | | | realistic and achievable. The short-term goals facilitate |
| healthy diet is the best way to change our body's | | | | progress monitoring and serve to foster motivation |
| appearance. Despite the truth in this statement, for | | | | and self belief as they are met. |
| every successful trainee there are many who fall by | | | | By example, a long-term goal of "I want to lose |
| the wayside in a mire of frustration and mediocre | | | | weight" is too broad. A better approach would be to |
| results. | | | | state "I want to lose 10lbs in 12 weeks" which is highly |
| From a holistic perspective it can be seen that the | | | | focussed and importantly allows you to gauge how |
| simplicity of the exercise and diet combination | | | | near you are to succeeding and crucially when you |
| overlooks a very significant factor - the role of the | | | | have made it! In turn this nurtures a more positive self |
| mind. | | | | belief. |
| The mind is incredibly important; it makes thousands of | | | | Another effective strategy is to practice mindfulness. |
| choices every day and controls every aspect of our | | | | In essence this involves increasing self awareness of |
| being. Without our mind, our bodies cannot function. | | | | thoughts and thought processes. Clients are taught to |
| Unfortunately many are unaware of the importance of | | | | picture their mind as a conveyer belt, upon which |
| the mind in creating successful fitness endeavours and | | | | thoughts travel. Through practice and increased |
| in failing to do so, set them selves up for | | | | awareness, negative thoughts such as "I can't do this" |
| disappointment. | | | | or "It's too hard" can be identified on the conveyer belt |
| Our mind is initially used to decide and embark upon | | | | and acted upon using positive reinforcement phrases |
| the process of getting fit and toning up. However, once | | | | or thought diversion techniques. |
| the programme starts, it is easy to forget about the | | | | Alongside mindfulness are the techniques of |
| mind's role as focus on the physical aspect of working | | | | visualisation and affirmation. Both can be applied to |
| out and dieting takes precedence. | | | | many situations including enhancing the effectiveness |
| Frequently fitness endeavours terminate prematurely | | | | of workouts. Through visualising performance of the |
| due to frustration from poor results, while losing | | | | exercise while using positive affirmations the client's |
| motivation and reinforcing a lack of self belief. In many | | | | mind and body prepare in unison for the task ahead, |
| cases, mental formulations such as these are rooted in | | | | resulting in greater focus, more productivity and |
| past experience, in which previous attempts have | | | | ultimately better results! |
| fallen short. | | | | Become the captain of your own ship and take |
| An effective strategy to overcome such barriers and | | | | command of your destiny, for the power lies within |
| increase the likelihood of success is through goal | | | | your mind! |
| setting. Prior to the start of a programme, specific long | | | | |