Mantras

I can't say enough about how incredibly effective simple mantras are, regarding food and exercise -even if you only say them inside your mind.

These two mantras are the ones I use. When I was learning to eat better I would say this one a couple of minutes before each meal:

"I control what I eat." Wasn't that simple?

I am a morning exerciser and my husband is an evening exerciser and he will generally only exercise if I exercise with him. Unfortunately that is usually around the time that my biorhythm (sp?) is on the lower energy side. This makes it exceptionally difficult to motivate myself to exercise. So during the day, off and on, I will say this simple mantra, "I AM exercising!"

It is very important that mantras be in the correct format to be effective. Here are some examples.

Incorrect: I am going to eat well.
Correct: I am eating well!

Incorrect: I am going to workout today.
Correct: I am working out!

It must be said as if you are currently engaging in that activity. And it must be said with enthusiasm!

You would be surprised at how big of an impact these mantras make, even if said a few minutes a day.

Exercise and Back-up Plans!!!

"And when you're trying to get yourself up off the couch, having a plan B (like using an exercise DVD when rain dampens your enthusiasm for a power walk) makes you 20% more likely to become a habitual exerciser."

THIS is SO true! It's one of the best lessons I ever learned to become a regular exerciser. Right before ...I go to sleep each night, I plan out MULTIPLE exercises I can do the next day, as well as MULTIPLE times I can do them -since everyone knows that schedules almost never go as planned. If you plan for the unexpected you will exercise more regularly.

For example, today is Saturday. During the workweek I do my ball/roller/yoga/Qi Gong exercises in the morning and walking in the afternoon. Today I woke up too sore from yesterdays exercises to do them first thing today. So, I will do my morning exercises this evening when I am less sore. (I have a tendency to over-do my exercises, especially when starting new ones, so I really have to be careful to give my muscles a rest when they are telling me they need one).

David and I were going to go for a walk first thing this morning as well. But then, he decided that he was going to the boat store this morning instead. So I rescheduled our walk for when he get back.

I had alternate times picked out already so it was no big deal.

In the olden days, when schedule changes arose that impacted my exercise plans, I would of thought, "Oh well, now I can't do them, I will just have to wait until tomorrow". Which of course is just a cop out. It is MUCH harder to cop out when you have back-up plans.