Are you familiar with the teachings of Dr. Norman Vincent Peale?
I first read The Power of Positive Thinking
In my experience, it is so much easier to keep your motivation up when you’re feeling great (because you’re thinking great!), compared to when you are thinking negatively. The more negatively based your thoughts are, the more difficult it will be to stay motivated. Of course, we are talking about your motivation to eat well and exercise, however your motivation, inspired by your positive thoughts, will affect every area of your life.
The Power of Positive Thinking also delves into the power of prayer and faith in your life, using prayer to turn many of your negative, self-sabotaging thoughts around. This reminds me that I need to start writing about how spirituality plays a part in your whole, healthy lifestyle. Your well being, body, mind, and spirit are all interconnected after all. 😉
You simply won’t be very motivated to take care of your health if you don’t feel good about yourself, and your feelings are fueled by your thoughts. Get your thoughts in line, focused on the positive in your life, and then you will find it much easier to take the action of eating whole, healthy foods, and maintaining a regular exercise program.
I don’t know if the same cassette program (that I’m listening to) is still available, however I have found a CD version of The Power of Positive Thinking on Amazon. Actually though, I recommend any of Dr. Peale’s works
I firmly believe that the one of the best thing that you can do for yourself to lose weight and shape up is to work on your thoughts, mainly your thoughts about yourself. You could have the healthiest eating and exercise program in your hands, but it’s likely you won’t implement it if your head isn’t in the right place. Or, if you do, you will end up sabotaging yourself.
You deserve to enjoy the best health possible; don’t let yourself, your negative thinking stand in your way!
Yes, I definitely agree that positive thinking can lead to the motivation to workout and lose weight. But I also think it works in reverse as well.
I mean, I’ve had times when I’m low and then have restarted an exercise program. Usually within 2 to 3 days I can feel the changes in my body (although not visible yet) and start feeling much more pumped up and positive about myself.
Hi Josh, thanks for your comments!
I’ve had the same experience with exercise, and if you can get yourself to take the action to exercise regularly, which then in turn helps you change your thoughts (exercise releases those “feel-good” endorphins), then you’re doing great. 😉
In this article I focused on the mind, since everything in life begins with a thought, even the thought that would precede beginning an exercise program. However, getting your thoughts on a positive track, whichever route you take, will help you continue taking positive action.