Secrets of Creating a Positive Exercise Mentality

You don't need to be a mental gymnast to create a positive exercise mentality.

It is easy to think un-fit thoughts, excuses that get in your own way, and to expend mental energy coming up with reasons not to exercise. It's just as easy to think positive mental thoughts, if you try.

There are some basic tips to help you create a positive exercise mentality that will help you achieve your health and fitness goals.

Secret to Creating a Positive Exercise Mentality: 1. Exercise Slowly and With Control

Exercising slowly and with control will help you focus. It will also decrease your chances for injury. By exercising slowly and with control you can also focus on the muscles you are working and keeping the proper form and alignment. Sometimes withrepetitive exercise we have a tendency to rush through, or just go through the motions just to get them done. By slowing down and controlling every movement, and your breath, your exercise will be more effective.

Secret to Creating a Positive Exercise Mentality: 2. Remain Focused on the Task

A woman who ran the Boston Marathon a couple of times used to train without listening to music. Even today, she does not use an MP3 player, CD player or Walkman when she runs on a treadmill. Her reasoning? She wanted to be able to focus on the task of running without relying on external stimulus. She did not want dead batteries to stop her in her tracks.

By forgoing the use of external stimulus like listening to music, she was more able to focus on the task at hand: running. While this is a techniquethat was successfully used by a marathon runner, anyone can benefit from this kind of mental focus.

Rather than using music to distract us from the workout activity, or to keep us from being bored, try focusing instead on the actual exercise. Focus on the body's movements, its reactions, and the goal for this session, and even your overall fitness goals.

Secret to Creating a Positive Exercise Mentality: 3. Stay in the Moment

Stay in the current moment of the physical activity. Do not beat yourself up for the times you did not engage in physical activity. Do not berate yourself for being out of shape. Don't worry about finding timetomorrow to workout. Stay in the moment you are in when you are exercising. Remain in the present.

Secret to Creating a Positive Exercise Mentality: 4. Think Fit Thoughts

During exercise remind yourself of the benefits you are providing to your body. Strengthening your core region could alleviate your lower back pain. Performing half an hour of cardiovascular activity right now will help you reach your weight loss goals.

Think fit thoughts when you exercise and they will carry you through the day. When you think fit thoughts you are more likely to take the stairs and not the elevator, and make better food choices throughout the day.

Secret to Creating a Positive Exercise Mentality: 5. Enjoy the Moment

Physical activity can be fun. Do what you love and the rest will follow is usually applied to work situations. The same holds true for physical activity. Find an activity that you enjoy, and will actually look forward to, will encourage you to exercise.