by Jayne Osbourn
To distinguish between the concepts of “being” and “doing,” is one of those subtleties that make a world of difference. When it comes to fitness, it makes the difference between people who are lean and healthy and people who want to be.
Just about everyone you might ask would say they would choose to be fit. The next logical step then, would be to take action to get fit, right? Nope.
That”s what most people think. They think they have to DO something rather than BE a certain way, and that”s why a lot of people start working toward fitness and give up.
To always be “doing” is a struggle, whereas a state of “being” results in actions that are natural responses congruent with who you are.
The common way of thinking is that first I must DO something and then I can HAVE something, which will allow me to BE something.
Like this: Set fitness goals and workout 5 times a week at the gym %5BDOING%5D so that I can lose a few pounds for a better figure %5BHAVING%5D, and then I”ll feel attractive and healthy %5BBEING%5D.
Now, what if the order were reversed? Shift out of the do-have-be progression, and lots of things in life get easier.
Think about qualities or characteristics that people who are authentically fit possess. They are consistent, creative, dedicated, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, motivated. Pay attention to these qualities in yourself, in all areas of your life. Start to focus on them.
When you get up in the morning, instead of saying, what do I need to DO today, ask how can I BE those qualities. How am I going to BE creative today? How am I going to BE disciplined today? How am I going to BE fun today?
There is a very different energetic response people have when their focus is on “being” those things rather than “doing” something. Use a journal if it would help you make the connections.
As you”re reading, it might be going through your mind, “But really, I”m not very creative.” If that is the quality of thought you have, the message you keep telling yourself (self-talk), then what happens is you feel you have to DO something to get creative.
Your vision is what creates the action, so if you have a vision of yourself as not being very creative, your action is going to match that vision. However, if you can start to see yourself as being creative – even if it”s in small ways at first – that”s going to change your actions.
You”re going to start to be creative in other areas too, because once you see yourself as being creative, the actions match – the doing is a very naturalresponse.
Instead of the self-talk that focuses on what you see as weaknesses, re-direct your attention. Choose any one of the traits of authentically fit people. Let”s take flexibility. Look and see, “How am I good at being flexible?”
Most people are always looking at where they”re falling short, and so what happens is more of the falling short – wherever you begin determines where you”re going to end up.
The people who actually make it and enjoy a life of fitness are the ones who shifted how they see themselves. They see themselves as being healthy, as being committed to health, as being beautiful or attractive, and so then taking actions like eating better or exercising more is just a natural response.
But when people are “doing” something because something is “wrong” with them, it creates resistance, struggle, overwhelm; it takes a long time. And no matter what you DO or how much you DO, it”s never enough because you”re back where you started.
Change your vision of yourself, and you change your reality.
Personal fitness trainer Jayne Osbourn is a contributing author to Fitness Topia . Also visit Acer Bike for additional articles by Jayne.
