Overcoming Mental Barriers to Achieve Health and Fitness Goals: Insights from a Personal Trainer
Abstract
Discover how overcoming self-limiting beliefs, establishing routines, differentiating between wants and needs, and accepting necessary changes can propel your health and fitness journey. This article delves into the personal insights from a seasoned personal trainer with over 20,000 hours of experience, providing practical advice on creating sustainable lifestyle changes for long-term well-being.
Keywords
Health and fitness goals
Overcoming self-limiting beliefs
Establishing routines for health
Difference between wants and needs
Accepting change for health
Personal trainer insights
Sustainable lifestyle changes
Mental barriers to fitness
Creating healthy habits
Personal health improvement strategies
Mental Health Denver / Photo: M Venter
Introduction
Need help to achieve your health and fitness goals? You may find the most significant obstacle within yourself….and here’s what it might be:
USING THE PHRASES “I CAN’T,” “I WON’T,” OR “I DON’T.”
Personal Trainer Wisdom: After nearly two decades of personal training and over 20,000 hours of one-on-one sessions, this factor determines one’s sustainable success more than any other (and it makes sense). Consider the language: The very nature of these phrases is negative and self-limiting. Is one truly open to the change he needs to make, or is he only willing to do something as long as it doesn’t compromise his wants? “I won’t cook.” “I can’t possibly make this change.” “I don’t work out.” Hard-line phrases that express unwillingness to determine and consider what one must do to reach success. Even though verbal resistance may sit at the tip of the tongue, the alternative phrases, “How can I make this work?” or “Let’s examine the possible solutions,” are positive options that might open new doors to one’s well-being.
I HAVEN’T ESTABLISHED A ROUTINE.
Personal Trainer Wisdom: Long-term sustainable change relies on a foundation of routine and habit. While a quick fix to lose 30 lbs in 3 months is enticing, it will soon be part of a never-ending life cycle. Most fasts, pills, and detoxes serve an impulsive need and rarely establish the structure needed to maintain weight loss. The most vigorous habit has been reinforced daily for 30 days. It has become part of a new normal, sometimes operating on autopilot. The further the habit is from a day-to-day routine, the longer it needs reinforcement (45-60 days). Lack of this focus will lead to short-term change and a return to the prior normal, leading to poor health.
LACK OF DISTINCTION BETWEEN “WANTS” AND “NEEDS”.
Personal Trainer Wisdom: The grammar school curriculum needs to include the necessary lessons on the physical, mental, and emotional selves. Children (and adults) are left to haphazard self-discovery and assessment and often misguided mentors. Essentially, students are never taught how to recognize their actual needs and are left to figure it out independently over a lifetime. The barrage of mixed messages makes seeking optimal personal health confusing and frustrating. However, this might change with the simple question, “Why do I feel this way?” It is the first step of awareness - Examining the underlying influence on behavior and its physical manifestation. With guided investigation and testing, actual needs can be identified while no longer depending on haphazard guesses related to wants.
UNWILLING TO ACCEPT WHAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED AND THE NECESSARY STEPS TO CHANGE IT.
Personal Trainer Wisdom: Although awareness is an essential first step in change, acceptance is necessary before adaptation occurs. Is one willing to accept a current state of being (healthy or not, it is what it is) and the needed approach to redefine health? Surprisingly, acceptance is the roadblock for most. Accepting a current state and the necessary path is necessary for doubt, frustration, and insecurities to unravel the new efforts. It may emotionally steer the adaptive process in the wrong direction and stunt it.
Photo Credit:
brobible .com–Is the answer to change sitting in front or inside of you?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: MICHAEL MOODY, PERSONAL TRAINER
As an author, a personal trainer in Denver, and podcast host, Michael Moody has helped personal training clients achieve new fitness heights and incredible weight loss transformations since 2005. He also produces the wellness podcast "The Elements of Being" and has been featured on NBC, WGN Radio, and PBS.
Michael offers personal training to Denver residents who want to meet at the 2460 W 26th Ave studio….or in their homes throughout LoHi (80206), LoDo (80202), RiNo (80216), Washington Park (80209), Cherry Creek (80206, 80209, 80243, 80246, 80231), and Highlands (80202, 80211, 80212). Michael also offers experiences with a personal trainer in Jefferson Park (80211) and Sloan's Lake (80204, 80212).
If you’re looking for a personal trainer who can curate a sustainable (and adaptable) routine based on your needs and wants, Michael is the experienced practitioner you’ve been looking for. Try personal training for a month…your body will thank you!
