I am a personal trainer and fitness instructor, and January is always the month of “newbies” and their New Year’s resolutions. I love their enthusiasm and how set they are on this being the year they eat better, work out harder and finally reach their goal weight.  

 

But after 2 or 3 months, most people have thrown that resolution out the door.

 

For whatever reason.

 

Maybe life gets busy, goals seem impossible, you can’t stick to the “new” diet, your kids are sick, whatever … it forces you to give up.

 

But what if this year we did things a little differently?  

 

What if we made it less about the number on the scale or sticking to some crazy deprivation (a.k.a. “diet”) way of eating? What if we made it more about our mental attitude and how we see ourselves?  

What if we did that? Would it work?

 

I hear so many clients trash talk themselves.

 

 

 

 

How the heck is your body supposed to change and get stronger if you constantly beat yourself up mentally? Your body will do what your mind tells it to.  

 

For instance, if you tell yourself you can’t lift that weight or run that mile, you won’t. Simple as that.  

 

I have clients who even apologize for not being able to do certain tasks or not being “fast enough” “strong enough.”

 

So, with  me, from now on, a self insult gets that client a prescription for 10 BURPEES (if you don’t know what a burpee is, google it, try it and you will quickly hush that self bashing to avoid doing them).  

 

This way of thinking doesn’t just apply to you. Hold your family, friends and co-workers to this as well. Let’s build each other up, starting with ourselves.

 

Imagine if you heard your daughter, son, mother, father or friend talk about themselves the way you talk about yourself. Most people would never want to hear loved ones express such self hate … so why is it OK for you? Start to view yourself with confidence and give yourself grace when it comes to sticking to that resolution of working out or dieting. Then if you fall off the workout wagon, chances are you will go back when life allows because you are not telling yourself what a “failure” you are for giving in.  

 

It’s not about the resolution, it’s about a new way of life. And when you think of yourself more positively, you will want to take care of yourself.

 

Why?

 

Because you are pretty dang amazing!  So remember, if you or a loved one has something negative to say about themselves, 10 burpees, no excuses.  

 

Here’s to a new year and a new happier you!