Take a step on your physical path...

The analogy of a path works well for me - it seems we are all influenced today by what we have experienced before today, and what we do today will decide where we are at tomorrow (and if we are likely to enjoy that or not).

There are likely clear steps that led you to your experience, beliefs, and results today. You can continue to take similar steps, or alter your course to move in a better direction.

Once you are clear about where you are going and where you want to go, you can evaluate your choices as either getting you there in a positive way, or not. Then choose accordingly!

Sounds simple but i think the more we can empower ourselves with simple choices that can be acted and built on, the better.

Simple doesn't necessarily mean quick or easy either. You may need to spend some time developing a foundation of awareness of your experience and beliefs. How persistent and consistent you are in this and the action you take will also go a long way.

Ultimately this all leads towards you waking up each day choosing to live more fully in your body, and seek ways to move forward - take another step on your physical path.

This could be getting that next meal right - and taking the time to enjoy it, doing that daily mobility routine, commiting to that strength workout, getting enough sleep, catching yourself using negative thoughts and instead thinking something far more positive etc.

Take another step forward - enjoy that step as you take it and enjoy where those steps end up taking you!

Effort Vs Struggle

Here is a concept that came to me during a few sleepless hours last night.

Approaching what you do in your training as giving it energy and effort seems pretty positive and proactive.

Being aware of the difference between putting in the hard work or effort that you can today vs going through a struggle might well be a worthwhile distinction to make.

(Not quite what i wanted to illustrate!)


If we cross the line into 'stuggle' i think we are more likely to experience a mental or physical 'panic'. It won't necessarily be a state that many people want to expeience on a regular basis to build an enjoyable and lifelong habit of exercise!

Occasionally, i think we may all have training sessions where we decide to push the envelope or get taken a bit by surprise and go through more of a struggle - it may even be beneficial from time to time or you may derive mental strength from such an experience.

I would suggest however that most of the time we focus on putting in the effort and energy at a slightly more sustainable level that we can continue to build on over the long term. This will also allow for better focus on technique.

I think this is especially true for people just getting started or coming back to exercise. I've seen people cross the line into struggle way before they were really ready to do so and it doesn't look like a happy, positive, or healthy experience!

For the more experienced, the actual work being done may be the same, but the approach to it and internal state of the athlete or participant may be quite different!

Try these on for better fitness results.....

Not a magic pair of pants or wonder trainers! Not even some tight fitting base layer that seems to have become all the rage.

I'm talking trying something on mentally and noticing how it feels before your next training session.

I want you to engage and get in a better state for enjoying what you are doing, bringing the experience more to life, and ultimately getting more rewards - internally and externally!

Firstly i want you to relax and breath, take a conscious deep breath and notice how your body is feeling today.

While you continue to do this, start to picture one of your most compelling or enjoyable goals - bring it to life in your mind. Continue to enjoy this feeling and recognise how what you are doing today is another stepping stone to fully enjoy and get you closer to where you want to be.

Smile inwardly and outwardly as you see yourself doing your movements or taking on certain challenges successfully and with the qualities you want to express.

As you start to go through your warm up and preparation movements, really feel what you are doing and how you are doing it. See and feel how each movement is preparing you for what you will be doing.

Continue to breath fully and with an element of relaxation. Every so often return to an image of what you will be doing in the session ahead and the energy and focus you will bring to it.

Notice the thoughts that come up. Simply let unhelpful, negative or distracting thoughts drift by, and give energy and attention to positive thoughts, words, and feelings that will only add to your experience.

Today is another chance to experience and practice. It's a chance to play - even if it is serious play! You may well have specifics you want to achieve so recognise these, set your intention, and then let go of any pressure you felt.

During the session aim to continue the above - being mindful of what you are doing and how you are doing it. Returning to an awareness of your breathing, positive images, and positive words, regularly.

After you have done your best for today and gone through your cool down take a moment to sit or lie down in a quiet space. As you focus on relaxed breathing, revisit the things you did well, and also imagine your goals and specific movements done perfectly once again. Finish with a moment of simply breathing with no specific thought.....

If the above seems quite novel to you at the moment - realise that it doesn't need to take much extra time at all, just familiarising yourself. It is only the relaxation and visualisation at the end that may be an added couple of minutes. If pushed for time you could follow the principles as you go through any other cool down moves or stretches, without needing to switch off completely!

This is one way you can help transform your experience from simply 'routine' to something more like a 'ritual'.