During a presentation I gave on Wednesday morning about Health, Fitness, and Weight Loss, I was asked a very interesting question. The gentleman acknowledged that most people know they should eat well and exercise, and understand the numerous benefits as a result.
He wanted me to explain, however, the emotional aspect of this process and how to tap into his emotions in order to truly make this process effective.He hit the nail right on the head! I've spent my entire career preaching about how to eat right and exercise, however, I think sometimes I neglect to explain how emotions play a role in the success of this journey.
So I asked the group to think about some questions, which I'll list below. I encourage you to write them down in your journal, a piece of paper, or a cocktail napkin, and really take some time to think about them and answer them (honestly of course).
1. How long do you want to live, and why?
2. Why do you want to be fit?
3. How do the benefits out way the cost of putting the time aside to take care of yourself.4. Why do you want to lose weight?
This is a very important question, one that I initially received some "surface" answers, but when we really got down to the nitty gritty we uncovered some good stuff.
The beginning answers were, "I want to look better", "fit into my clothes", and other answers you would typically expect. Every time I heard a "surface" answer, I asked that person, "why?". Now this is where we really made some headway.So when you answer the question "why do I want to lose weight?", to every answer I'd like you to ask you to keep asking yourself "why".
Let me give you an example of a conversation.
Q: "Why do you want to lose weight?"
A: "To look better."
Q: "Why do you want to look better?"
A: Here's where the answers came flooding in; "To have better sex, to feel better about myself, to not be embarrassed to go shopping, to not have to ask the sales lady for a larger size, to feel comfortable wearing a swim suit, to be happy, to perform better in my job, to live long enough to enjoy my children and grandchildren, to be comfortable naked in front of my spouse, to have better sex, to have better sex, etc., etc., etc."
This is how you tap into the emotional aspect of your health and fitness goals. Continue to ask yourself the question "why" as you write down each of your goals. The why will bring you to the true reason for what you really want.
The other way to incorporate your emotions is visualization. During this presentation I used an example that I personally tap into on the days that I really don't feel like working out (yes, I too have those days). I picture what I want to look like in a bathing suit. Let me tell you something, that get's me moving fast!
Visualizing how you would like to look, how you'll feel when you look that way, the smile on your face, how you interact with your spouse, children, co-workers, etc., are all very effective ways to involve your emotions into your goals.
This is a very broad subject matter, so if you have anything to add, or if you'd like for me to expand on anything, simply comment below and I'm happy to help you in any way I can.Visualize on and on and on (and write it down!!!)
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