‘Health, wellbeing, and vitality are a mindset, mental clarity and health are vital to gaining physical fitness.’
Do You Struggle To Maintain A Consistent Fitness Routine?
Even as a Pilates teacher I have not always been consistent with my workouts, stopping and starting as much as the next person. Frequently getting distracted and prioritising other things such as work, family, chores etc.
Through my work with energy and sound healing, I have gained an understanding of how to stay consistent with workouts by being more connected to mind, body and soul.
In order to follow through with goals and intentions, you will at some stage need to bypass the unhelpful thoughts, limiting beliefs, and self-sabotage that will inevitably come up to distract you and attempt to steer you out of alignment. This applies to all decisions, goals and intentions, regardless if they are fitness, lifestyle, personal or work related.
There are some simple things we can do that does help to keep you on track with your intentions, such as scheduling it in your diary like a meeting, arranging to go with a friend, or lay out your clothes the night before. But even these simple strategies can become ineffective over time.
Over the course of this mini series of articles, I will reveal to you some simple tools that I have implemented into my life to help me stay consistent with whatever it is that I want in my life. I have broken these down into seven steps – clarity, releasing expectations, intention, awareness, knowledge, connection, and gratitude that will have you looking forward to your workouts!
Gratitude
Let’s begin with ‘Gratitude’ – if you only take away one thing from my articles then I hope that it is gratitude. I keep a gratitude and evidence journal, which I write in every morning, and throughout the day if I feel called to. This is singularly the one thing that regardless of what I have going on in my life that keeps me connected and in alignment with my truth and with the universe.
Why not try writing down things that you are feeling grateful for; this could be directly or indirectly related to the workout. Finishing your training in this way will create an uplifting and positive feeling that will leave you feeling motivated and looking forward to your next workout.
Be mindful to not be rigid with this practice i.e. don’t specify how many things you need to write down, keep it flexible, even one gratitude a day can be all you need to turn your day around!
Mental clarity is a state of mind in which you are more focused, and your perception is clear. With mental clarity you are able to recognise, understand, and organise your thoughts, enabling you to communicate more clearly and effectively.
Getting clear about your workout, diet, lifestyle choice etc, will help you to connect to the reason why you are doing it and what you are hoping to get from it. Clarity will help you not just to stay focused, but give it a purpose that will encourage you to factor your workouts into your schedule.
So next time you are thinking about doing a workout, ask yourself “what I am looking to get out of this” or “why am I doing ….” “do I enjoy doing …” and see what comes up for you.
Practice Daily
It is commonly believed that it takes 21 days to create a habit however, studies* have shown that it takes closer to 66 days for a new behaviour pattern to become automatic, there are however many variable factors, so consistency really is key.
Start with a daily gratitude journal, write it rather than typing it. It takes 5 -10 minutes depending on how many things you have to be grateful for. Don’t force it and don’t overthink it, just sit with the intention to feel grateful and allow the pen to flow.
My Gift To You
My gift to you is a mindful Pilates mat workout to guide you through conscious movement. Creating awareness, increasing self-confidence, and gaining a sense of physical and emotional freedom. CLICK HERE to view it.
About The Author
Karen Eccles is a holistic movement and wellbeing specialist. Through her knowledge and experience, and working with Pilates, energy and sound healing, Karen enables clients to understand their bodies by creating awareness, and increasing their self-confidence so they feel a sense of physical and emotional freedom.
To learn more about Karen or to book a discovery call please visit www.pilatesfromwithin.com or IG @pilatesfromwithin FB @pilatesfromwithin
*Phillippa Lally, PhD, a senior researcher at University College London