Does your brain think you don’t like exercise?

Changing habits isn’t easy. While you might know it’s the healthier option, there seem to be so many obstacles to any change, such as introducing regular exercise. Time, energy, work, relationships, and demands at home to name a few. And, perhaps the biggest obstacle might feel to be yourself, you don’t see yourself as someone who likes to exercise.  

Dr. Lupu joins us and shares her step-by-step secret sauce for making positive changes. She’s been helping people to successfully make positive life changes for over 10 years. Here we consider how to effectively introduce exercise into our life worth living.

The goal: So, let’s say that you have decided that you want to include more physical exercise in your life. Sounds great, so how to make it work?

The brain needs evidence: What you may not know is that to change your brain needs proof. It can update its ‘software’ to generate different thoughts when you give new facts. Dr. Lupu reminds us, “the brain is an excellent thought-generating machine. It’s what it does. With this focus, you can see that any ‘idea’ is simply a thought.” To make changes successfully you need to get your brain to be your greatest supporter. This is easier than you’d suppose. Dr. Lupu continues, “So, how can you help your brain change that thought? You start by exercising in VERY small amounts. You show your brain that you ARE someone who exercises. It’s as simple as that!”

You can do ANY exercise: You are brain training.  At this stage of your exercise journey, you’re chilled and relaxed. Your only goal is to do something. Dr. Lupu suggests, “Get your trainers, pop them on, go outside for 5 minutes – say walk to the corner and back. That’s it. Or, for those with gym memberships…  make it to the gym, go inside, spend TWO minutes on a machine, get out, and come back home.”

Regular patterns give evidence: Think about a regular pattern that you could choose and keep – for this ‘ANYTHING’. For example, you could choose every evening after work, during your lunch break, or every second day.

Set yourself up for success: The important thing is to commit to the ANYTHING activity. Then, do it WHEN you said you would do it!

 Set yourself up with a small goal that you CAN achieve.

What’s the goal that you will choose this month?  Why not write it down now? Committing to yourself is an important part of growing your success.
We’ll have more helpful steps next month.