The Positive Focus of Physical Activity

September 19, 2011

by Linda T. Gottlieb, MA, CPT, CET

Throughout much of my professional career I have had access to some terrific business and personal development tools, strategies and models.  I was thinking about one of the simplest, and yet profound daily ideas and thought I would share it today.

It's called the Positive Focus* and it can change the way you view each day, and your progress toward your fitness and health goals.

We live in a society that expects a fix for every problem...now!  Also, many of us see an outcome, if anything less than absolutely perfect, as something less than worthy of the effort.

Today, I am suggesting that you begin to list everything that has gone right in your day, especially regarding physical activities.  Seemingly inconsequential things like taking a brisk walk to your mailbox, releasing some anxiety with yoga breathing, or completing a set of stretching exercises you were not able to do last week. Listing the things that are going right in your day, versus the concerns or worries is a way to honor progress toward your goal.

Let's take a moment to celebrate progress, not always reach for perfection, which, like the horizon, seems totally unattainable.  Fitness isn't an event, it's a lifestyle.  One that every man, woman and child- even cancer survivors can strive for.

Here's what you can do to change your view of life in the next 21 days:

• Before you retire for the evening, write down every positive thing that happened, include any physical activity you did!
• Note why it was an achievement-Was it because you hit a new level on the treadmill, or you ascended your stairs without being winded?
• Next, jot down what further progress, if any can be made-Lifting dumbbells that are a bit heavier for your next workout, or walking an extra time around the block?
• Complete the list with that next thing you must do to move toward your new goal-purchase those 10 pound dumbbells, sign up for a dance class or order a step counter.

Using a daily positive focus log can get your mind focused on the good, not the scary and the progress not the lack of perfection.  It's all good!

Visit www.FitTraining.net for more from Linda. 

*The 21 Day Positive FocusTM was respectfully borrowed from The Strategic Coach

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