Cognitive-behavioral therapy affirms that all our actions and behaviors are the product of what we think and feel; therefore, if we want to alter our actions and behavior, we need to alter our thoughts and feelings.
Makes sense?
In fact, it does; especially in the field of health and fitness, as the path to health, fitness and well-being begins in the mind.
It started as a feeling
We often feel dissatisfied with our body shape, especially when we reach a certain age when what used to be thin and mean becomes rounded and flabby.
We are often dissatisfied with the level of energy we have or the decreasing amount of work we can do before we feel tired. We began to wonder what happened and why.
Sometimes we don’t really notice the subtle but dangerous changes in our body and our physiological responses to stimuli until we end up in the emergency room or doctor’s office. Then when the blood chemistry or scan reveals what is wrong, we become scared and distressed.
People try to ignore these feelings of discontent or dissatisfaction, fear and anxiety about the state of their health. Some deny having these feelings.
But these feelings are important.
They can sink us into self-pity and paralyze us in hopelessness, or they can be the stimulus for positive action. These may be feelings that we never want to feel again, so we do everything in our power to get back in shape and live a healthier lifestyle to extend the days of our enjoyment of life and all that it has. to offer. .
Became a thought
If you are concerned about your health and life expectancy and are thinking about and at risk of chronic diseases, you are not alone.
Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with a lifestyle-related medical condition or know someone who has it and has made you think about your own health.
At some point, we all started to think seriously about these issues, and good for you! This can motivate you to take action. Once you are on the brink of action, go further and set your mind and subsequently your behaviors towards a healthy lifestyle.
- Don’t just sit there, let your toes walk! Access your smartphone or tablet and start browsing the Internet for information. Be careful though, there are so many sites that can scare you with misinformation and usually leave your pockets bleeding as well.
Go to trusted sites and get relevant and accurate information on healthy diet and fitness. Read everything you can to find out what it looks like, and then take action.
- Don’t just sit down, you have to make decisions! Armed with your education from the first step, you can now examine all the unhealthy aspects of your life and make a list of goals with specific action steps to achieve them.
- Don’t just sit there, move! Join a gym, eat a healthy diet. Get a personal trainer. Take an aerobics class at a nearby community center. Ask your doctor for advice.
- Don’t just sit there, make small changes that will result in big changes over time.
Do you want to lose 100 pounds? Start by losing 100 ounces. Start by cutting 100 calories from your diet by skipping your usual glass of soda or a bag of potato chips.
If you drink three cups of coffee a day, gradually reduce to two. If you have sugar and cream with your coffee, cut the cream and sugar in half and look for the black one.
Skip the pie and choose an apple for dessert three times a week and go from there. Make small changes and build them.
The thought grew stronger and stronger
If and when you are trying to lose weight, it helps to have a lot of self-control.
But, in the long run, it helps more if you know how to visualize.
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If you’re looking for another burger (in addition to the three you’ve already eaten), imagine cholesterol clogging your arteries.
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Imagine that you cannot breathe because you are having a heart attack.
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Imagine that you cannot walk properly because you have had a stroke.
These are powerful pictures of the detrimental effects hyperlipidemia can have on your body.
What do you like to do the most in the world?
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Do you take your children?
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Are you playing basketball or soccer with them?
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Is he driving your car?
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Is it camping or traveling?
Imagine how you’re going to do those things (if you can still do those things) if you’ve lost the use of half your body because you’ve had a stroke.
Teaching visions, isn’t it? And they work. They stop your cravings! They distract your mind from cravings and lean you toward a healthy mindset.
The battle is in the mind
The mind is a powerful thing. It can make you do certain things that you would not otherwise do. A man diagnosed as in the early stages of coronary artery disease – his arteries were narrowing due to arterial plaque – encouraged himself to diet and exercise.
He took a photo of his children and held them in front of him every time he ate. Each bite of vegetables and fruits meant much more time than he would have to watch them grow.
Every time she felt like skipping her morning walk, she imagined her children living without her support and love. Immediately, he would get up and walk as if his life depended on it, and it did.
Happily, he was able to reverse coronary artery disease through small lifestyle changes; her children are now in college.
Use your mind to stay informed. Use your mind to choose what is good for your health. Use your mind’s eye to motivate you toward your health and fitness goals. It all starts in the mind.
