Break Your Psychological Fitness Barriers
One of the many factors that makes working out on your own more difficult, is not being able to break through your own self-imposed barriers.
A good example of this would be in runners.
If you jog everyday on the treadmill for 30 minutes, your body becomes accustomed to a thirty minute routine.
Eventually, you will notice at 25 minutes, your body starts to feel tired, and by thirty, you simply have to stop.
This is of course, 100% psychological.
You have trained your body to believe that you only have the endurance for a thirty minute run.
If you can trick your body in to thinking it can only complete a thirty minute routine, you can also "trick" yourself in to being pushed harder, and longer, while improving your level of fitness.
Three Tips to Break Your Psychological Fitness Barriers 1.
The extra mile/set Perform your routine as usual.
Whether it is that thirty minute run of a weight workout of 2 sets for each major muscle group.
Now here is the trick: You are going to put in an extra mile/set no matter how long it takes you.
Walk the mile, or perform each set with five minutes in between, if you have to.
However, I can guarantee you that once you know you have committed to the extra mile, you will do it quite easily.
Chances are, you will not even have to stop running/lifting etc.
I use this one all of the time, and sometimes I end up working out even longer.
It really works.
If you think an extra mile, or round of sets is too ambitious, try it out on a small scale with "the extra song," on your MP3 player! 2.
The Rest Reward We respond so well to rewards! With this "trick" you are going to work out extra hard, to earn yourself a day off, that would normally be spent exercising.
Not only does this technique get you exercising harder, it changes up your routine for better results! Example: You have cardio planned for today, and weights planned for tomorrow.
Instead of sticking to this schedule, do a really tough circuit routine.
Try intense cardio for 5 minutes, heavy weights 5 minutes and repeat for 45 minutes to an hour.
Just try working out the next day:P 3.
Self Hypnosis and Visualization No, not swinging a pendulum in front of your face! I'm talking about positive self-talk and reinforcement.
Let's say you are almost finished your weight routine, and the last thing to work out is your abs.
You want to quit so bad, you can already feel the cold shower water, and the tasty fruit blended protein shake waiting for you in the fridge.
Before you let the tired, lazy side of you cave in, remember what motivates you to work on your abs.
Is it the dream six-pack? Core stability? A flatter stomach? Take that motivation and now visualize your results.
Picture buying a dress, a size smaller, or the reaction at that pool party next month.
Repeat this motivating force to yourself (in your head, especially if you are in public) and get yourself to the point where you can't think of anything else except finishing your workout.
Even though people in general, have trouble pushing themselves, it is amazing how we do not want to let ourselves down.
Nobody wants to be disappointed in themselves.
Once we get something in our head, we'll do it.
If you can convince yourself it has to be done, and for a good reason, it will be! Stay Fit!
A good example of this would be in runners.
If you jog everyday on the treadmill for 30 minutes, your body becomes accustomed to a thirty minute routine.
Eventually, you will notice at 25 minutes, your body starts to feel tired, and by thirty, you simply have to stop.
This is of course, 100% psychological.
You have trained your body to believe that you only have the endurance for a thirty minute run.
If you can trick your body in to thinking it can only complete a thirty minute routine, you can also "trick" yourself in to being pushed harder, and longer, while improving your level of fitness.
Three Tips to Break Your Psychological Fitness Barriers 1.
The extra mile/set Perform your routine as usual.
Whether it is that thirty minute run of a weight workout of 2 sets for each major muscle group.
Now here is the trick: You are going to put in an extra mile/set no matter how long it takes you.
Walk the mile, or perform each set with five minutes in between, if you have to.
However, I can guarantee you that once you know you have committed to the extra mile, you will do it quite easily.
Chances are, you will not even have to stop running/lifting etc.
I use this one all of the time, and sometimes I end up working out even longer.
It really works.
If you think an extra mile, or round of sets is too ambitious, try it out on a small scale with "the extra song," on your MP3 player! 2.
The Rest Reward We respond so well to rewards! With this "trick" you are going to work out extra hard, to earn yourself a day off, that would normally be spent exercising.
Not only does this technique get you exercising harder, it changes up your routine for better results! Example: You have cardio planned for today, and weights planned for tomorrow.
Instead of sticking to this schedule, do a really tough circuit routine.
Try intense cardio for 5 minutes, heavy weights 5 minutes and repeat for 45 minutes to an hour.
Just try working out the next day:P 3.
Self Hypnosis and Visualization No, not swinging a pendulum in front of your face! I'm talking about positive self-talk and reinforcement.
Let's say you are almost finished your weight routine, and the last thing to work out is your abs.
You want to quit so bad, you can already feel the cold shower water, and the tasty fruit blended protein shake waiting for you in the fridge.
Before you let the tired, lazy side of you cave in, remember what motivates you to work on your abs.
Is it the dream six-pack? Core stability? A flatter stomach? Take that motivation and now visualize your results.
Picture buying a dress, a size smaller, or the reaction at that pool party next month.
Repeat this motivating force to yourself (in your head, especially if you are in public) and get yourself to the point where you can't think of anything else except finishing your workout.
Even though people in general, have trouble pushing themselves, it is amazing how we do not want to let ourselves down.
Nobody wants to be disappointed in themselves.
Once we get something in our head, we'll do it.
If you can convince yourself it has to be done, and for a good reason, it will be! Stay Fit!
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