No matter how healthy or fit we feel we have become, at some level we are affected by our past conditioning and how we think. I certainly did not start out life as a fit kid naturally into sports. Actually, I was quite the opposite. At 10 years old, I was a very overweight little girl. I felt complete embarrassment. I felt immense shame. I felt like a defect.

My health and fitness did not start to flourish until I began modeling my mentality after truly fit and healthy people. I learned this at a deeper level while attaining my master’s degree in sports psychology and seeing my colleagues’ and clients’ lives changing phenomenally by upgrading specific thoughts. Everything begins in the mind.

5 Mindsets of the Healthy –

Mindset #1: Healthy people believe they are in total control of their destiny as opposed to their destiny is predetermined.

The healthy don’t ever allow physical limitations to stop them from achieving their divine destiny. Nick Vujicic was born without arms and legs. His life was not easy. His life is filled with joy and purpose after overcoming adversity. Nick, now 30, has a wife, and they travel the globe sharing inspiring messages of hope, accomplishment, and love. He realized that we all need love and hope and that he was in a unique position to share that with people. He said, “Dream big, my friend, and don’t give up.” We all make mistakes, but none of us are mistakes.” How can the world elevate from your presence? After all, you did arrive for a divine purpose.

Mindset #2: Healthy people put their metabolism to work instead of trading off their health for time.

The healthy metabolism investor has educated themselves on quality nutrition and a sound workout program that works for them. They master the skill of consistency, and long term, their metabolism begins to pay back to them! Their metabolism and hormonal system are working efficiently so they can burn fat more effectively during workouts or at rest.

Mindset #3: Healthy people have a positive influence on their family members and friends, and they bring them along on the journey.

Mark, one of my most inspirational clients, had spent many years on a downward spiraling addiction path of drugs, alcoholism, and jail time. He could have easily thrown the rest of his life away. He hired me and we began rebuilding his physique and life. Mark dedicated his whole life to good nutrition and better workouts. Mark became a strong, muscular man and lost 5% of his body fat. I helped him achieve his personal training certification. Today, Mark is sober and continues to help his family, friends, and community by his fitness example and training and has inspired many.

Mentality #4: People who are healthy focus on the opportunities and not the obstacles

Sports psychologists use mental skills training to help enhance athletes’ performance. This training involves looking at the positive side of any situation. This is a form of positive psychology. According to Seligman, ‘seeing obstacles instead of opportunities doesn’t just affect behavior; it also reaches down to the cellular level and makes the immune system more passive. When faced with a challenge, healthy people are more likely to stick to their exercise program and not abandon it altogether. Practicing a daily positive attitude is a source of inner strength and overall health.

Mindset #5 – Healthy people perceive fear differently and learn to overcome it.

Pema Chodron said, “If you never know the nature of fear, then you can never be fearless.” Healthy people are able to recognize fear and move forward regardless of it. They understand that fear is a natural reaction to learning more about the truth or achieving higher goals.

Stefanie Basso

NSCA Certified Trainer, NCSF Sport Nutrition Specialist BA Exercise Science, MS Sport Psychology

Ph.D. Holistic Nutrition San Diego, CA 92122

Email: [email protected], www.steffitness.com

To read more about NUTRITION check our web page