MOTIVATION 101: CHANGE YOUR VOCABULARY - A Friendly Reminder:-)

Greetings FITTNation!

It’s rare that I have a few minutes on a usually busy morning to give you some energy for the day and beyond!

Today I wanted to remind you just how powerful words are - YES, WORDS HAVE POWER!

They have power to build up, tear down, empower, discourage, fuel, and frustrate (just to name a few). Certain words that we use on a daily basis can be behind the success and failure of many. I can say that this is a fact because before I was Kareem aka The Positive One, I was very negative in my way of thinking especially toward myself. Those negative thoughts transformed into negative words and, well, I fell flat to say the least. The struggle indeed was real and realer than ever!

But then I had a great conversation with a friend and mentor of mine and he dropped some solid knowledge on me that made me look at things in a whole different light. When I spoke about my challenges, I used FOUR words that every time I said it, he cringed.


"I CAN'T DO IT"


You would have thought that I disrespected his mother based on his reaction. Then he explained to me that whenever I use words with a negative connotation, I'm setting myself back further and further away from my goals because I'm halting the process of possibility and therefore limiting my potential of achieving my said goal.

THIS WAS HUGE! And as a result, it has changed my life #truestory

If you are like the old me, believe me when I tell you that you can change too...of course, that all depends on IF you want to. The truth of the matter is some people just like to give up; they find this odd thrill of quitting and "debbie-downing" themselves. Their reasons why are beyond me but I want to believe that they fear succeeding and would rather talk a good game rather than be about it, you know?

Advice: CUT THE HABIT NOW! IT WILL LEAD YOU NOWHERE!

So how can we change? Below are some reminders that you would want to keep close to you so as to not experience the wrath of K. Just like my mentor, I too cringe whenever someone says that to me. Check these out:

1 – PLEASE REFRAIN FROM USING THAT TERM DURING YOUR WORKOUT, YOUR WORK, OR ANYTHING THAT YOU DO

2 – Consider changing your words, incorporating a positive outlook instead of a negative one!
Too often, we limit ourselves and our abilities by telling ourselves or worst yet letting someone tell us that we can’t do something. But how would you know unless you tried? Bet you'd be surprised just how well you would do if you did. Remember: when we use the terms “can’t” and “won’t”, we actually limit the possibility of a positive outcome because our mind tells our body not to bother. Period.

Yes, that’s right. When we want to do something, come hell or high water, we do it, no matter what obstacles befall us. But when that something is challenging beyond our comprehension (or we just believe that we don’t have the ability to do it), we tell ourselves to forget it and do something easier.

Mistake numero uno!

How else would you progress if you weren't challenged? How else would you get to stage 10 if you stayed in stage 1? How else would you get to your goal and accomplish your “why”? Remember that important element? The reason why you’re training? The reason why you're paying a trainer in the first place? You desire to get something out of the experience that will be long-lasting and progressive...right?

Now, please do not be confused by what I'm saying. I do not suggest doing something that is TOTALLY out of your range thus injuring yourself and creating a detrimental consequence for yourself Nooooooooooooooo!

But what I am saying is that

a) rest assured I would never give you anything to do that is unsafe but will be out of your comfort zone and challenging, and

b) I wouldn’t give you something that I didn’t think you were quite ready for.

I’m a major advocate of safety and effectiveness so don’t get it twisted. At the same time, where you know you can challenge yourself, accept it and work at it.

Give your mind and body something to work with.

CALL TO ACTION: How can we change our mental and physical environment thus changing the outcome of our objectives in the process?

1) Review Your “Why” AGAIN! – I cannot express how important this is ladies and gentlemen. Your reason for being your best is the single most important factor that cannot be denied by anyone, including you. Heck, re-write your why if you have to! Keep it close by (on your phone, fridge, cookie jar, case of beer, wine bottle, wherever you will see it) so that you can be reminded of it regularly. And don’t just read it in your head, say it out loud! It will press on your conscience better:-)

2) Eliminate the “NOT” words from your vocabulary – if something is difficult to perform, refrain from saying “can’t” or “won’t” or any other word that will interrupt the process of your progress. Put a positive outlook on it and believe you can achieve.

3) Timeline your objectives – give yourself a reasonable start and end date to your goal. How much time will you give yourself to drop a dress size or two (or three)? How many weeks until summer is over? Be specific but be realistic

4) Be Balanced – even us fitness pros have to relax and reflect sometimes. Listen, it’s barbecue season! Enjoy your steak with friends; have that glass of wine; have fun! Just have to be disciplined to know when to say “no”. Remember: your goal is for you:-)

5) Ask for help – I may be a busy guy but I always have time for questions. Need a little boost? Hit me up! Come to a drop in (if you’re in the Montreal area) and sweat it out! Have questions regarding nutrition or training or mindset development? Ask away! My mission is to inform, not harass. I would LOVE to hear how many of you have made a positive change and what results have come from it – that’s what FITTNation is all about! That’s why I do this.

In conclusion peeps, it comes down to you – ask yourself those tough questions: how much do you want to make a difference?

Are you ready to make a lifestyle change or is this just a “summer” thing?

What are you willing to do with or without?

The choice is yours. Just know that I’ll be around whatever you decide

Until next time…