We hear all the time that "exercising is so important" or "so beneficial." We see the beautiful models, the transformation stories from others, and the Pinterest boards filled with beautiful, fit people in it. What we tend to forget is that exercising should be about increasing your personal, potential strength. Not someone else's and "societies." Changing the mindset of working out can be a crucial part of trying to start working out. Once you can get over a few hurdles, you can accomplish anything you want to.
Working Out is a Reward, Not a Punishment
Instead of thinking "I had a chocolate bar today, I need to workout" you can instead think of working out like "let's see how much my body can accomplish today." Working out should be a reward to your body because you can push yourself past your limits if you want to but also try. I recently ran a 5k, and I pushed myself incredibly hard during it to get my time down from previous 5ks. I was not thinking of all the junk food that I had the past week that needed to be worked off. I was instead incredibly proud of myself when before I knew it, I reached a mile and 1/4 without stopping or noticing how far I was running. I focused on pushing myself because I knew my body could do it. I was also thinking of all the yummy pasta I would be later having, which was a pusher, but not my main one. When I woke up the next day, my legs and body were sore but that feeling of accomplishment sore.
Find Positivity in Working Out
At my University, one of the sorority sisters teaches a few workout classes. These exercise classes push me and are a little difficult to get through some days. However, I love being able to workout with some of my sisters because I have supporters and I'm supporting young women that I love. I also love seeing my sorority sister that leads get stronger and get better with teaching with every class. Working out was something that I did not look forward too, but now, I am looking forward to Mondays and Wednesdays at 6 pm. I also workout with my coworkers in dance cardio. Dancing is incredibly fun and radiates positivity. I am no dancer, but at least I try my hardest!
Focus on Your Progress, Not What Needs Progress
Focusing on the tummy pooch or saddle bags can bring you down. You start only to focus on the things you want to change. The great thing about working out is that when you work one thing out, there are a few more muscles associated with it. When I run, I stop focusing on how slimmer my legs can look, but I see how strong I look. After doing Pilates, I notice how confident I look, despite my tummy pudge from my stress eating. When I stopped thinking "wow, I wish my stomach was flatter" and started thinking of the repetitions I can push myself to do, I saw progress. I was focused on "winning" instead of the constant "losing" against my self because I was focused on what I could slim down.
Working out can lead to self-confidence but also can kick you over while you're down. Working out is something that is beneficial since it increases your energy, changes your cravings, and is a stress reliever. It is just as important, however, to feel okay in your skin. Changing your mentality about working out can help you see the progress you want to see, but also turn it into something you want to do.
