A few days ago I realized inspiration and motivation for change comes in many ways. Several months ago, after working with a client for many weeks, she came to her daily workout session with a pronounced "feel sorry for myself" attitude. This wasn't the first time this had happened but it was definitely the worst.
A little history ... I had been working with her for a few months. Her journey was slow but off to a great start. She was losing weight slowly and consistently. Exactly what I wanted to see. This type of weight loss is easily maintained unlike rapid, unsafe weight loss.
This day was different. Rather than jumping on the treadmill excited about today's workout, she got on, trudged along, clearly not wanting to be there. She was throwing out negative comments about her body and how she thought she should be doing better, losing weight faster and able to work harder. I stopped the treadmill at 1:43 and told her that her workout was done for the day. I had a different workout for her that day. It was time to take a good look inside. Being healthy involves more than just working out and eating right. Our mind needs to be healthy as well.
I sent her home with a list of questions to ask herself and really think about. They included:
How do you feel about your body? Your health?
How happy are you in your daily life?
What things do you wish you could change about your life, body and health? Why aren't you changing them?
Do you like the person you are? If not, why? What could you be doing differently?
When do you feel the best?
Are you being a good role model for your friends, family and children?
She came to her workout the next day with a renewed motivation towards her weight loss. In answering the questions it helped her realize why she was there. She wanted to be a healthy mother who could chase her son around at the park. She felt great and proud after completing a workout. Her heart was progressively getting stronger and healthier. She had even motivated a few of her friends to join the gym with her. She was making several positive changes in her life.
That day she made a commitment to be her own best friend. She said that if a friend came to her and said "I'm going to start exercising and eating right to lose weight" she would be supportive. Even when things got tough and her friend "slipped" she would help them get back on track and keep going. She committed to being that friend to herself.
Have you ever said to a friend "You failed so many times in the past, why even start?" or "This workout is way too hard for you! You'll never be able to finish it!" Of course not! What kind of friend would you be? So why do people find it so easy to say these things to themselves?
Start being your own best friend today. This client came to me the other day after her workout, which she now does on her own without the need for a personal trainer, and told me that day was life changing for her. It was the day she realized that she was being her own worst enemy. She got rid of those comments and replaced them with a more supportive, encouraging "friend." I highly encourage you to do the same.
Say it! Mean it! Do it!
