One of the best ways to stay disciplined in your life – in nearly any area – is to treat yourself as you would treat your child.
You would never give your kids a breakfast of coffee. You know they need actual food – fruits, grains, lean protein, even vegetables – to get a good start on their day. You aren’t any different. Do you provide a good breakfast for yourself?
You would never let your child call herself names and put herself down (or anyone else, for that matter). You know that negative language breeds negative behavior. Do you call yourself names? Do you put yourself down? Think of yourself in terms of your positive attributes.
You would never let your kids stay up all night. You know they need a good night’s sleep to rejuvenate for the next day. Do you shortchange yourself by going to bed too late? Or by burning the candle at both ends?
Give your inner child the right food, build up your inner child, and discipline your inner child with standards and boundaries. Nurturing and discipline yield results.
What we believe about ourselves is what we become. So why not tell yourself some amazing things about how fit and strong you are? About your commitment to exercise and wellness? About how awesome your body is?
Some of the experts suggest that you say your affirmations while looking at yourself in a mirror. That’s pretty powerful. But we like to use them as the rhythm to our exercise. You can walk or run or pedal or stroke (that’s swimming, people) to your own affirmations. You can lift and release weights to your words – in fact, those words will slow down your weight lifting, giving you a bigger benefit on the release/negative side of the lift.
Try some of these and see how they fit you. Or make up your own affirmations. Just be sure you describe the person you want to be.
I am a perfect example of health and fitness.
I am strong and my body is powerful.
My body is lean and fit.
I have excellent posture and form becaue.
My fitness routine is enjoyable, energetic and easy!
My daily fitness routine gives me excellent results.
During my work-out routine, I feel healthier and healthier by the minute.
I enjoy exercising and my fitness routine gives me excellent results.
My physical fitness clearly shows that I have a fitness regimen.
I take care of myself by working out daily and eating right.
My body is firm, healthy and metabolically fast.
I have a fast metabolism, a healthy spirit and friendly personality.
National Get Outdoors Day is an annual event to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun. Prime goals of the day are reaching first-time visitors to public lands and reconnecting our youth to the great outdoors.
There are all kinds of programs being offered at different locations, or you can just Get Outdoors on your own. If you have a state or national park nearby, it’s a good day for a field trip!
Need another reason to Get Outdoors? “Recreation is a powerful antidote to stress.”
Teenagers live in a world that is more stressed than ever before. They get overloaded with pressure at school, conflicts at home, relationship problems, and career choices. Many have to deal with divorce, moves, financial struggles, jobs, and blended families. When stress builds up, teens cope however they can. They may drink, drive aggressively, get high, overeat, go shopping, spend hours on the computer or playing video games, or take out their frustration on others. This is why we see increased bullying, isolation, depression, obesity, eating disorders, inappropriate sexual activity, violent outbursts, cutting, intolerance and hate crimes, suicide, and many other destructive choices. Kids need new and better choices. They need help unwinding and handling pressure in positive ways. Recreation is a powerful antidote to stress.
Once in awhile it’s good to take a minute (or 5) to think about why we do what we do – so why do you exercise? (And if you don’t, why do you wish you did?)
Do you like the challenge of doing something physical?
Do you want to be stronger?
Do you want to lose weight?
Do you want to reshape your body – become leaner and more muscular?
Do you do it because you know it’s good for you?
Do you like the socialization – exercising with friends?
Do you like the alone time – away from other responsibilities in your life?
Do you do it because your doctor said to do it for your health?
Do you do it because you love yourself enough to do it?
And if you don’t exercise – do you love yourself enough to start?
Give any problem or drama 36 hours and watch it change.
I can’t tell you how many times I have seen this happen. You could almost set your watch by it. Whenever I get upset about something, 36 hours later, I have a completely different perspective.
I don’t know why 36 hours is the magic number, but it really is. It gives you time to digest it. It gives time for you to stew in it. It gives you time to come up with “Plan B.” It usually makes your life a lot easier.
~ Marilu Henner
So don’t rush to judgment.
Don’t rush to action.
If something is a problem, give it a little time and watch it change.
If it’s not going to change in the universe, at least it may change in your mind so that you can change it in the universe for yourself.
Do you like the thought of staying in bed on Friday the 13th?
Or is this just another day for you?
Statistics (at least those reported via the first couple of pages of a Google search) go both ways on this being a day of bad luck. Perhaps it’s what YOU make of it.
What can you do to sway your luck today?
Eat a healthy breakfast.
Drink plenty of water.
Smile.
Pay someone a compliment.
Eat your vegetables – all different colors.
Do a random act of kindness.
Pay attention when someone talks to you.
Give a hug.
Skip the unnecessary snack.
Go to bed at a reasonable hour.
Wear your seatbelt.
Remove all the food saboteurs from your cupboard, cabinets, refrigerator, and freezer. If you follow Lenten practices (or even if you don’t), it’s a good time to get back to basics and strip out the extras.
You know the extras we’re talking about – the chips and dips, the ice cream, the candies and cookies. Your intentions are good – you’ll just have an occasional treat, right?
Wrong! You’ll be tempted during times of weakness – boredom, stress, thirst, pressed for time, angry or upset, etc., etc., etc.
While you’re at it, read the labels of all the prepared and processed food – cereals, frozen breakfasts and dinners, drink mixes and juices, canned soups and sauces. You may find “junk” on those labels, too, and it’s just easier to get rid of the things you don’t want standing in your way to good health. (If the packages are unopened, we suggest a donation to your local food shelf. Some food is better than no food for many people.)
So while you’re feeling strong today, fill your garbage bags, not your saddlebags!
