Is your fitness cup half empty or half full?
Let me back up to the beginning.
This morning after an early morning walk I hopped into the bath.
Now, this may not necessarily sound like something that would provide a moment of inspiration, so let me explain.
The left hand spigot
on our bathtub is currently experiencing what one can only call a
"backwards installation". In other words, both handles point to the
right when "off", though they should point in opposite directions to
create symmetry and ease of operation.
The
reason the left handle is reversed is because we had to do an emergency
plumbing job to stop a leak, and as it was the weekend and we had tools
handy, decided to fix it ourselves.
I know, plumbing is best left to
the pros, but due to a variety of circumstances, at the time it seemed
to be the best choice.
Bear with me, I"m going somewhere with this story.
An
hour later, despite all of our adjustments and head scratching about
installation, the left handle wouldn't line up right. My husband
demonstrated exemplary patience. And not only then, but on a repeat
attempt a week later. Another hour, another head-scratcher, and the
results are the same. Backwards faucet.
Uncle! We'll wait for a
plumber for the next go at it.
Here's where we get to my point.
All this week it has been mildly annoying to see the handle sideways.
It brought the frustration of installation to the surface, without the
gratification of successful alignment.
But today I had a different experience.
A shift of paradigm, even at the bathtub level
I started thinking about how we should just get that handle fixed so it wouldn't annoy us anymore.
And then it dawned
on me how sweetly devoted my husband was at trying to fix it so it
wouldn't look bad and bug me. And suddenly, the sideways faucet turned
into a reminder of kindness and love. What a difference!
It brought a blessing to the bath instead of a curse.
It changed my perspective from "half empty" to half full.
Or more.
The half full fitness connection
How often this same energy plays itself out in our quest for w*eight loss, better d*iet, exercise plan, etc. etc. when it comes to fitness.
This
comes up often in my coaching practice when working with clients - I
observe the looking at the lack, the focus on the negative, the
discouragement with things being less than the ideal that we wanted
them to be yesterday!
Words like
- "I was at a point of utter frustration, all-or-nothing", and
- "I have experienced a huge mindset shift....that have enabled me to overcome HUGE obstacles!"
...
are not uncommon for the women who undergo this rigorous course of
study. And the roots are right there in overcoming perfectionism and
recognizing progress...and the filling of the glass.
Dealing
with the shift of perspective about the levels of progress - the
filling glass - effectively and masterfully can mark a huge turning
point in your weight loss journey.
How to turn it around - and grow the attitude of a winner
Here are 3 common "half empty" experiences women often express on their weight loss and fitness journey.
1) "I've only lost '3' lbs. this month"
Paradigm shift and attitudes of a winner:
"I'm 3 lbs lighter than I was a month ago!"
2) "Why does everyone else seem to be able to lose inches so fast?"
Paradigm shift and attitudes of a winner:"My
body is my body and comparing myself to others - whether real or
imagined (none of us really knows what another is experiencing,
especially when we don't know them live and personally) does NOTHING
for me! Being in your own body and working with it compassionately and
honestly are precursors to lasting weight loss success.
3) "I had a bad day with my d*iet yesterday"
Paradigm shift and attitudes of a winner: I actively prepared for and was successful with my dietary plan for 5 days this week!
These simple shifts in perspective and attitude add up.
They create a positive energy and allow us to remind ourselves what a difference we DO make with our thoughts, actions, choices, and persistence.
Holistic Fitness Lifestyle Coach Lani Muelrath, M.A., specializes in helping women succeed in their w*eight
and body shaping dreams by transforming their relationship with their
body, eating, and exercise. Rewriting behaviors and patterns into those
that are consistent with the fitness, health, mental outlook and
positive energy we desire is her forte!
With over 30 years of experience as a teacher, coach, and
trainer, Lani is a Guest Lecturer in Kinesiology at San Francisco State
University, and is recipient of the Golden Apple Award for Excellence
in Instruction. She created and starred in her own CBS TV show, and is
the Healthy Living Examiner at examiner.com. She has some exciting and
effective programs for women who want to move forward in their fitness
- and lives. Her compassionate and knowledgeable approach combined with
expertise in fitness as well as inner transformation and tools for mastery make it possible.
Lani overcame her own lifetime struggle with w*eight over 10
years ago when she lost 50 lbs, which she has maintained easily with
the tools that she now teaches in her signature program, Woman's
Fitness BluePrint: An Action Plan for Success.
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