Some of us find that that mental strength comes in forms of motivational quotes, reading or hearing inspirational stories, proving the people wrong who thought you couldn't accomplish a task. Everything we do is affected by our mental attitude. You won't be able to accomplish something when you don't think you can already do it in your mind, or be able to focus on something for that matter if your mind is completely cluttered with other thoughts. The more stressful the thoughts, the worse your performance will be.
Nutrition
I've seen this all to often with people when it comes to their nutrition.
Many people can become overweight because when a stressful or emotional situation happens to them in their life they turn to food for comfort. They have those comfort foods.. A lot of the times these can be things like cookies, chips, ice cream, fast food even. When people eat because they are upset, it starts to make them feel better, it somehow feels that void of why they were upset. After this they become upset with the fact that they ate so much food because they are trying to lose weight, this in turn results in them becoming upset again and then turning back to food.
This can also be related to fitness. When people get really upset they don't want to go anywhere, especially with depression. I've dealt with depression and I can honestly say that all I want to do is lie in bed all day and sleep. I don't want to talk to anyone and I even lose my desire to go to the gym, and I'm a fitness nut. To others who are having to enter the fitness world, working out can be a burden because to them it isn't fun. They see exercise as a chore. It also is hard for people with insecurities to get into a fitness routine. They feel like they are being judged by others at the gym and I can honestly tell you, that you are not! People in the gym are more concentrated on their own workout routine than they are you. But it doesn't apply to just people who are just getting started, it applies to us that are already working out.
And Then Life Happens....
January 6th
This brings me to January 1st:
Many people can become overweight because when a stressful or emotional situation happens to them in their life they turn to food for comfort. They have those comfort foods.. A lot of the times these can be things like cookies, chips, ice cream, fast food even. When people eat because they are upset, it starts to make them feel better, it somehow feels that void of why they were upset. After this they become upset with the fact that they ate so much food because they are trying to lose weight, this in turn results in them becoming upset again and then turning back to food.
This also applies when trying to eat more healthy. I know this can be hard for people who are just starting out and feel very restricted by what they are eating. Trust me, healthy options can be very tasty as well. When you look at changing your eating style as a burden it's going to be harder to do. Look at all the positive aspects of eating healthier: you will have more energy, you will start to see a more healthy appearance in your body, it can alter the hormones in your body causing you to feel happier and start to feel a lot better. Now who wouldn't want that?
Workouts
I had a couple days back in May of this year were I had no motivation to go to the gym whatsoever, but I went anyway. This was mostly because of a relationship ending. My workouts didn't go all that well, but none the less they got accomplished. My only motivation for going to the gym during that time was: I didn't want to lose everything that I had gained from my training and to make that person see what they were missing out on.
I think my worst day was when my gym had programmed to do a CrossFit Total. For those that don't know what that is, it is where we test our 1RM (max weight lifted one time for each movement) for back squat, shoulder press, and deadlift. I was excited about this day because I had been going through a program and could feel myself getting stronger. I have wanted to hit a 200# back squat and 250# deadlift for awhile now. (I currently sit at a 180# back squat and 232# deadlift). My goal that day was to hit 185# and 240# (the # mean lbs). But at this time in my life I wasn't going through a difficult situation and was having a hard time dealing with it. I was stressed out mentally so much that it effected me that day in more ways that I would have liked it to. I didn't hit a single PR that day (no higher numbers), and some of my old highest lifts I couldn't even come close to, deadlift for instance. I even had to walk outside a couple times in between attempts balling my eyes out in frustration as to what was happening at this current moment and wishing I wasn't so worried about the person I cared about so much. Because so much was going on in my head it affected my performance in the gym that day drastically. The situation still affects me but it has gotten better.
Our mental mindset can affect so many things in our lives. It can effect our healthy lifestyle, physical and nutrition. Not only are those two things important but our mental health is important as well. We have to be in the right mindset to make changes in our lives.
Recently I have been reading a book called Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. This book has hit home on so many days so far, I feel like it is speaking to me. I still become effected by the situation that happened back in May, unfortunately all too often it seems like, but I have better control of it now. But anytime we want to make a change in our lives it has to start with our mindset. If our mind is not in the right place we are surely to fail or just to go through the motions and not get anything out of what we are doing. You want to have a passion or determination for whatever it is you are trying to change or going after.
I have prayed so many times to God to take this pain away from me and to help me forget those couple months so I wouldn't be held back by them anymore. I want so badly to move on from that part of my life and wonder sometimes if it will ever happen. I know that one day it will but it's been haunting me more than I would like it to, and not to mention some other situations in my life have declined all to rapidly and wondering everyday when God will bring me relief from these things that are heavy on my heart.
While reading through Jesus Calling I came across this:
"Do not be discouraged by the fact that many of your prayers are yet unanswered. Time is a trainer, teaching you to wait upon Me and trust Me in the dark"
(Me is referring to Jesus)
Another day in this book, January 4th, said to cry out "I trust you, Jesus!" For me crying this out actually leads me into prayer. It leads me and gives me hope that God will one day take these things that are weighing me down and lift them up upon himself. He will lighten my load. Although I have never been a very patient person through all this he is teaching me to be patient. And it readings like this that help with that.
Take January 9th for example:
"Much, much stress results from your wanting to make things happen before their time have come.
...Instead of dashing, headlong toward your goal, let me set the pace. Slow down, and enjoy the journey in my presence."
I have so many things I wish I would have done differently, and so many things that I want to still do. When I first moved here I was a Health Educator at an Army Wellness Center. I would give a lot to have a second chance at that job. I received that job straight out of college and honestly I wasn't prepared for a job like that. I was used to walking around in workout clothes and just about being my own boss, and getting there it was a lot different. I feel like I have grown since that point in my life over 2 years ago and would love to have another shot. I have always had a passion to work with the military and still do, which is why I am so hesitant to leave. I question everyday, how am I suppose to fulfill that passion if I'm not around the military, to me the task seems impossible. I have recently wanted to inspire a lot of people in a big way, almost like a motivational speaker, with all the struggles I've been through in life and telling them how I've overcome them and give them hope that they can do the same, to change their lives and change them for the better. Yes, their journey will be difficult and they may feel like they are constantly being kicked back down to the ground, like I do now, but that things will get better. I do have my frustrations with God and wondering why he keeps putting me through a situation that seems to be getting worse and worse.
"Do not cling to old ways as you step into a new year. Instead, seek my face with an open mind, knowing your journey with me involves being transformed by the renewing of your mind."
Changing things is our lives all starts with our mindset. If we are not in the right mindset to change our lifestyle, whether it be our behavior (recently finished watching two season of Beyond Scared Straight), spiritual journey, attitude, nutrition, physical lifestyle we are most likely going to fail and have many setbacks. I have learned that you truly have to have a passion for what you want to change and a reason to change it. One of the things I have set backs with is my journey in my relationship with the Lord. I go through times where I feel like I am so close with him and I go through other points in my life where I am as far away from him as I could be as a believer. When I go through that time I have lost the mindset of my relationship with him and have become selfish and wrapped up too much in the things that are going on in my life. Sometimes this could be when things are going well and could be with things are going very difficult. But those times are also what has brought me closer to Him.
If you are not ready to make a change in your life for the better and are starting out with bad thoughts even before you start, I would suggest waiting awhile before you start to make those changes in your life. Just keep in mind that you need to start making those changes before they can be detrimental to you. It is no fun to start something and then have to start all over again. I know that nutrition can be one of the hardest things to change when it comes to a healthy lifestyle. It takes a lot of food prepping for me so that I don't eat badly throughout the week. It is so easy to be tempted by the ice cream, cookies, and chips. And I can imagine it being even harder when you are apart of a family where kids are involved or they aren't willing to support you on your nutrition change. Without that support system in place, changes are harder to make and stick with.
Start by transforming your mind for the changes you are about to make in your life. You will truly see a difference in yourself but also on the journey you are on!
~God Bless
"Training strength and endurance mentally, physically, and spiritually."
"Training strength and endurance mentally, physically, and spiritually."
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