Power of Perspective: Train Because You Love Your Body
There was likely a time when you associated healthy living with a restrictive lifestyle. Or perhaps you haven’t entirely changed that perspective yet. We should be aware that this perspective can often cause unnecessary stress when adapting to a healthier lifestyle. It’s true some parts of a healthy lifestyle can involve abstaining or cutting down on certain things. For example, fewer sugary drinks or alcoholic beverages, skipping a late night out to get your morning workout or passing up on having a donut in the breakroom. But let’s shift this perspective. Notice that, in each of these instances you utilized your power of choice. Making positive choices for yourself should be an empowering action. Reframing these choices in another manner, you are choosing water because it hydrates you, nourishes your skin, and makes you feel more alert. You chose to sleep early because you love how you feel after a full night’s rest and a good workout. These are small actions that positively influence your mental and physical well-being for days to come.
Alternatively, imagine not having a choice of the things that you missed out on. At some point unhealthy choices might FORCE you to abstain from things… like trying new physical activities, seeking adventures, traveling comfortably, playing sports with your kids, feeling focused and at your best throughout the day. In these instances, you would miss out on the freedoms granted to you by living a healthier lifestyle. Instead, let’s recognize pursuing health as an act of creating and experiencing freedom. It is a liberating endeavor. Train because you love your body and you love yourself, at every step of your journey. The healthy choices you make for days, weeks, and months secure the freedom to feel, move, and live better well into the future. They give you the confidence to say yes to things you may not have considered before and the ability to explore more of what the world has to offer.
All it takes is a new framing of mind.
In the journey to a healthier you, every choice is a step toward independence. Train because you love your body and cherish the boundless freedom it brings.