With 70% of the American population being overweight and/or obese it shouldn’t come as any shock that countless people want to improve their health and maybe shed a few pounds.  Obviously changes need to be made regarding diet and exercise, but one area that is often overlooked is a person’s mindset.  Believing ultimately can make or break one’s success.  We see this all the time in professional sports, business, and even fitness.  Having a vision for what needs to be accomplished, the drive to achieve greatness, and most importantly…believing is critical.  Henry Ford says it best, “If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.”  Simple and true.  The battle is won or lost long before you even set foot in the gym.

But it’s  a little more than just belief, you have to shift to a mindset of “positive outcome.”  In other words, focusing on what is desired opposed to what is undesired.  Esther and Jerry Hicks, authors of the “Law of Attraction” looks at it from this perspective:

“From your place of lack, you will attract only more of that, and that is the reason most diets do not work:  You are aware of your fat – you are aware of your body looking the way you do not want it to look – and so when it gets bad enough that you cannot stand it anymore (either from your own perspective or because others are scowling at you), then you say, “I can’t bear this negative place anymore.  I’m going to go on a diet, and I’m going to get rid of all this stuff that I do not want.”  And yet, your attention is given to the stuff that you do not want, and so you hold it to you.  The way to get to where you want to be is to give your full attention to what you do want, not to give your attention to what you do not want.”

By overly examining what you do not like about your body and/or physical health only perpetuates the problem.  There needs to be a paradigm shift for true change to take place.  You need to “Believe it before you see it.”  How is that possible Jason?  I look in the mirror and the mirror doesn’t lie!  I realize we live in a society of “seeing is believing” but I simply encourage you to reflect for a moment on everything that has changed in the world throughout your lifetime.  Fairly recently, we didn’t have cell phones, internet, ipads, etc.  Even television hasn’t been in existence for 100 years!  Bottom line, people have vision and the ability to believe it before they see it!  The same rule applies when it comes to our bodies and physical health and the body will go only as far as your mind will allow it to.

Here are a few tips to help shift your focus and achieve the body, health, and life you desire.

Write down your goals:  The more specific the better.  But remember to state them in a what you want to happen manner.  For example:  “I want to lose 20 lbs in 6 months.” “I want to lower my blood pressure to 120/80 or less by next year.”  “I want to fit into my old swimsuit by June.” I want to improve my flexibility so I will feel better.”

Create your vision:  More specifically, create a poster board of what you want your life to look like.  Find pictures of yourself when you were looking and feeling your best.  Do you have fitness goals like running a marathon, competing in a triathlon?  Maybe you want to take on new recreational hobbies like rock climbing or martial arts?  Find images of these activities and put them on the board!  You could even go beyond fitness with your vision.  Images of places you want to vacation, a certain vehicle you like, the amount of income or job you desire, the sky is the limit.  This is a powerful too!  Having a image to view daily naturally puts your subconscious to work towards your goals.  Try it…you’ll be amazed at how effective it is!

Surround yourself with positive influences: Post inspirational quotes throughout your work and home space, read self improvement books, write daily affirmations, and surround yourself with positive people who mutually want you to succeed.  Remember…positive attracts more positive!

Want to change your life in 30 days?  If you make a daily commitment to perform these three action steps, you will be amazed how much better you will look and feel.  Everything will seem like it’s naturally falling into place.  It’s your life!  Take control, take action, and become the person that you truly deserve to be!

Recommended Reading

Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway – Susan Jeffers

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom – Don Miguel Ruiz

100 Ways to Motivate Yourself – Steve Chandler

The Law of Attraction – Esther and Jerry Hicks

Who Moved My Cheese – Spencer Johnson