Mind Over Matter

Surely you’ve experienced the proverbial butterflies before leading a meeting, giving a talk or performing in front of an audience. You’ve probably had stomach flops as a result of thinking about a new love. Maybe your heart rate was sky-high as you waited to hear test results at the doctor’s. It’s not at all a New Agey thing to say that mind and body are very much connected, and this fact could be affecting your workout routine, for better or worse.
 
In an MSNBC.com article, Gareth Dutton, a psychologist in Florida, reminds us that “a thought is just a thought. It doesn’t mean it’s reality.” So, you hate exercising! In actuality, there are probably specific things about exercising you don’t like, but if you think more about it, there are fun aspects, too. Need help getting out of the negative-thought rut? The article lists some typical utterances such as “There’s no way I can find the time to exercise” and “I’ll never be able to lose all this weight,” and offers up “better thoughts” for turning that negativity around.
 
When you’re formulating a plan for getting in shape, what thoughts run through your mind? Are you excited at the new challenge and looking forward to the results? Or are you beleaguered by doubts and fears, presuming that you are going to fail? Maybe a combination of both?