Changing Negatives into Positives.
 
Changing Negatives
into Positives
by Sarah E. Rippel,
BS, CPT
Ask yourself this
question: "Am I happy with how my body looks"? If your answer is "yes",
that's great! Most likely you have a healthy attitude and perspective when it
comes to body image. If you answered "no", it's nothing to worry about. It
is possible to change negatives attitudes into positives.
The best way to
start is by replacing self-talk such as "my legs are fat" and "i'll never
lose weight" with positive thoughts. To simplify my point,
think of self-talk
as being a cassette tape playing in your head. Usually,
if a person's
self-talk is predominantly negative, the tape just continues to voice those
negative thoughts over and over, further instilling them in your mind, and making it
very difficult to attain the body you're working towards.
On the other side
of the coin, when the tape being played is full of positive, affirming messages, you have no choice but to believe them! Your chances of reaching
your goals are 99.9% guaranteed!
Not too long ago, I
was having a conversation with a client. We were discussing body
image, a topic which I tend to be very passionate about, for it affects each
and every one of us in some manner. I shared with this client a technique
I have personally used to turn negative self-talk into a positive attitude.
This technique is used by top athletes and fitness competitors, and it
takes only a few seconds to perform. I promise that if you give it a try,
you will notice changes in how you see yourself!
Take a piece of
paper and write down five positive statements about yourself. The
messages can be about anything pertaining to you., for example, my last
list contained the messages: "I am strong," "I am successful," and "I
am in great shape and continue to improve." I taped my list up on my bathroom
mirror, so that it was visible. I also made it eye-catching, with
big letters and bright colors. Through reading the statements often, I
had no choice but to believe them, and I noticed a big improvement in my
confidence level! There is nothing that can stop me when my attitude is on
track! When you read and reread your list, you will find the messages sinking
in, and those nasty, negative thoughts will be a thing of the past! You will
find a new passion for your workouts, and a newfound confidence in yourself!
Which would you
rather have: a negative, self-defeating attitude which stands in the way
of your goals and dreams, or a positive, winning outlook which proves that the
possibilities are endless? You decide.
It is truly amazing
how much power is contained within a person's self-talk. The
difference between winners and losers is that winners believe they can win.
Winners face their fears and don't hold back,while losers expect
to be defeated and live in fear. Do not fall victim to
negativity - your attitude will make or break your success!
May you be
successful in all that you do!
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