As kids, we often imagine ourselves as our favorite comic book heroes, athletes and action figures. Boys dream about being “Like Mike” shooting hoops. Girls fantasize about having the “dream guy” from classic Rom-Coms. However, somewhere along the line we stopped using these imaginations as we entered into “the real world” of adulthood.
But what if we can use our imagination to boost our workouts?
Your new image begins upstairs.
Whenever I find myself in a workout “funk” (which is more often than you think), I like to take the focus off my apathetic mood and onto something more invigorating.
Simply put: If my mindset isn’t engaged and focused, why not transform my mind into someone who is?
For instance, if I’m feeling “tired and disinterested” during my workout, I’d be much more effective envisioning myself in the shoes of an Army Commander preparing his troops for battle. Such a mindset helps keep the focus on the “task at hand” (rather than how we feel at the moment).
Imagine carrying this guy’s mentality the next time you don’t feeling like working out.
I mean think about it. What’s easier: constantly staring at how much time is left on your treadmill, or imagining yourself running on an indefinite, stress-free cross country jog like Forrest Gump?
Getting away in your mind is almost as impactful as actually being “gone”.
Staying motivated is a challenge we all face throughout our workout journeys. Our minds easily get distracted with things like how we feel, who’s watching us at the gym, and how our day went. One key benefit of using our imagination is that it keeps us engaged in our workouts while allowing our minds to drift. This strategy is particularly effective with overcoming self-conscious fear myths.
With consistent exercise you’ll inevitably face mental hurdles from time to time. This is why I try to equip you with as many mental strategies as possible. Learning how to overcome these mental hurdles is another step forward in becoming the strongest version of yourself.
Key Takeaways:
Transform an apathetic mindset into an engaged one
Tapping into your imagination during exercise is a great way to overcome mental hurdles when you need that extra “boost”
Using our imagination keeps us engaged in our workouts while allowing our minds to drift
If you’re like me, you’ve struggle with consistency in one area or another. (And if you’re really like me, you’ve struggled to keep consistent with playing the guitar!) Arrghhhh! 😒)
I’ve started and stopped the guitar dozens of times!
When I first practiced the guitar I noticed a trend: I’d practice guitar for an hour or so – and then not touch it again for several months! This cycle continued for years until I finally realized that my skill level was a reflection of my consistency (or lack there of).
Developing consistency is something that’s vital for our all-around personal development. When it comes to exercise consistency, my personal belief has always been quantity over quality. Through my years as a personal trainer, I’ve witnessed far more with the guy who exercises to 4-5 times a week for 15-minutes, than the guy who does intense 1-hour workouts whenever he “has time”.
There’s nothing like the feeling of stacking up consecutive victories!
In my experience I’ve found that success comes from taking small, consistent steps. The awesome part is that taking small, consistent steps can be applied to practically anything:
Instead of trying to exercise 5 times a week for 1 hour, trying starting out with 3 times a week for 20 minutes.
Maybe commit to reading one chapter a day instead of trying to finish an entire book in one sitting.
Rather than setting out to meditate for 20 minutes each day, try three minutes instead
Consistency leads to habits, while habits lead to long-term success. They say it takes 21 days to build a new habit, so determine to develop that 3-week foundation and you’ll be exercising regularly in no time!
Key Takeaways:
Your consistency is paramount to your success
For developing consistency, quantity of effort means more than quality
Trying to do “too much, too soon” can hinder your progress (start off small!)
So you’ve decided to embark upon a new daily exercise routine and today is Day 1. As you near the gym you begin going through your mental checklist:
Water bottle?
Check.
Towel?
Check.
Comfortable workout shoes?
Check.
New gym membership?
Check.
But as you step foot inside the gym, you suddenly notice dozens of people walking around, stretching, and using funky looking equipment and you think to yourself
You’d be surprise how many first-timers gym users feel this way internally.
If you’ve had similar thoughts, I promise – you’re not alone! The overwhelming feeling of not knowing where to start is something myself and many others have experienced our first time at the gym. Eventually, what worked for me was starting out with easy and familiar exercises. This kept me from feeling overwhelmed and fearful. My mindset at the time was simply:
‘Familiarity’ is key when first getting to the gym. Start with any exercise that easy for you to do!
Another way of saying this is to “become a master at what you already know”. Such a mindset helps calm your nerves when figuring out where to start at the gym.
For instance, if the treadmill is the only exercise machine that you’re familiar with, then start “treadmilling” away as if you’ve been doing it for years. Or perhaps you’d like to build muscles and the only exercise you’re familiar with are dumbbell curls. Your best bet is to walk right over to that dumbbell rack, pick up a suitable weight, and start curling away!
Walking on the treadmill is a great way to acclimate to any gym.
Not only does “mastering what you already know” help settle you down, it ultimately gives you that much needed sense of belonging in the gym.
Although it helps having a wider range of exercises down the line, you initially want to find your comfort zone. Comfort leads to confidence, and confidence will give you that “sense of belonging” you need in order to thrive!
“A little progress each day adds up to big results” -unknown
Key Takeaways:
We’ve all felt “lost” in the gym at one point
Become a master at what you already know: start easy and familiar
Being comfortable in the gym leads to confidence, confidence gives you a sense of belonging.
The Pros And Cons Of Having A Workout Partner is something that everyone should consider along their fitness journeys. Today I’ll give you some options to consider when determining the pros and cons of having a workout partner. At the end of the day, the correct answer is whichever option keeps you consistent along your fitness journey!
Leg Raises On Floor is key aspect of building strong core muscles. When going over leg raises on floor (properly), I provide another alternative for beginners who would still like to do leg raises in a safe manner. Once you learn how to do leg raises on floor you can add this to your normal exercise routine!
Check out the benefits of home body weight exercises at: https://dailyfitboost.com/non-weight-exercises-calisthenics/
“What Should I Eat Before Gym” is a common question asked by many active people. Because our body uses what we eat as fuel, loading on the right things to eat before the gym can make or break your workout. Today we’ll go over the best types of food to use as “pre-workout” – or if you should even eat before the gym at all!
Lateral Lunges For Beginners demonstrates how to properly and effectively perform side lateral lunges. Since this is primary lateral lunges for beginners I also provide an alternative if the regular lateral lunges exercise is too difficult or uncomfortable.
Learn more about body weight exercises: https://dailyfitboost.com/non-weight-exercises-calisthenics/
Superman Exercise Lower Back is an easy isometric hold exercise to help strengthen your lower back. The best part about superman exercise lower back technique is that it can be performed right there at home! Today we’ll break down how to properly perform this fundamental exercise.
Learn more about body weight exercises: https://dailyfitboost.com/non-weight-exercises-calisthenics/
Dumbbell Rows Proper Form covers proper technique for this fundamental back exercise. Many people do this dumbbell exercise incorrectly not knowing how to specifically target their back muscles with dumbbell rows proper form. Today you’ll learn how to confidently go into any gym knowing how to use dumbbell rows proper form!
Learn more about free weight exercises: https://dailyfitboost.com/different-equipment-different-goals-free-weights/
