No matter how fit or healthy we may feel, we all have some influence on how we think and what our past experiences have done to us. I certainly did not start out life as a fit kid naturally into sports. In fact, I was the complete 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 didn’t really start to thrive until I started modeling my mindset after other truly healthy and fit individuals. This was something I discovered more deeply while completing my master’s in sports psychology. It also helped me to see the lives of my clients and colleagues change dramatically by changing their thoughts. Everything starts in the mind.

5 Mindsets of the Healthy –

Mindset #1: People who are healthy believe that they have complete control over their destiny, rather than being predetermined.

The healthy do not allow physical limitations to prevent them from reaching 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 understood that everyone needs love and hope, and that he was uniquely positioned to share it with others. He said, “Dream big, my friend, and don’t give up.” Everyone makes mistakes. But no one is perfect. How can the world rise from your presence? After all, you did arrive for a divine purpose.

Mindset #2: The healthy get their metabolism to work for them instead of trading time for health.

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 influence their friends and family members in positive, inspiring ways and bring them along for 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 entire life to quality nutrition, workouts, and a better life. Mark became a strong, muscular man and lost 5% of his body fat. I helped him achieve his personal training certification. Mark is now sober, continues to support his family, friends and community through his fitness training, and has inspired many.

Mindset #4: Healthy people focus on opportunities instead of 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. A positive outlook is an important part of your inner strength and overall well-being.

Mindset #5: Healthy people see fear differently – they learn to act in spite of it.

Pema Chodron stated, “If fear is not understood, you will 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

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