DO YOU ENJOY IT?
BY Nancy Georges C.Ht

Yes, I figured I would get your attention with that one.  But really, do you enjoy your workouts? Do you enjoy the process of losing weight, trimming down, building muscle, competing in figure, fitness, running a marathon or any other sport for that matter?  Does fitness feel like something you should do? Or is it something you enjoy?

A funny story, I was in the gym the other night, doing my cardio and for some reason I was very ancy, moving from one machine to the next, like someone who can’t get comfortable in a bed when they travel, I would start on one machine, my knees were hurting, I would move to another, no, not this one, I was really struggling not only physically but mentally as well.  Finally at minute 55 of a 60 minute cardio session, I finally started getting into my workout, getting into the session and enjoying it, and finally, happily I was done with that workout.  Now the very next day, I went back for my same old routine, got on one machine, easily for 30 minutes, and then hopped on another one for the final 30 minutes, easy as can be.  What made the difference? Naturally you are going to say my attitude and of course naturally you are going to be right, but other than PMA (positive mental attitude) and psyching ourselves up, what really leads to enjoyment, and I really mean TRUE enjoyment in a workout? The very next day I was swaying my body to the music, I was sweating massive beads off my forehead, and I felt joyous, I felt so connected with my workout.  What really made the difference?

I focused on the process, not the outcome. Although it is my outcome as an active figure competitor to focus on and visualize myself onstage looking the way I want to look and performing the way I would like as well, it is also my outcome, to let go of the outcome, and enjoy the process. To focus on the process rather than the outcome, allows me to enjoy the journey.  I detach from what I want and in so doing, I bring it to me even more.  Sometimes we focus so much on wanting things to happen in such a certain way that we zap all of the life and love out of the process.  Then our goals become dreadful and daunting tasks that seem like way to big of a chunk size to manage because they are just not fun.  But for that day, and for that workout, my focus WAS to enjoy every minute and every second of being an athlete, of my diet and my training, and to mentally focus and to feel my muscles working and to feel those beads of sweat drip from my forehead and to connect to my music, and flow with the machine.  It was the most joyous workout.

So it almost seems paradoxal doesn’t it? We have to work hard, be disciplined, put our nose to the grind, work our plan and plan our work, and yet if we do not enjoy the process, if there is no love in our work, our results will be fruitless.  We must somehow find that internal drive and love and passion.  Many people train out of anger, that may work for boxers, or for a short period of time, or for revenge or for respect, but those things have never really inspired me.  Many people ask me how can I keep going.  How do I get up in the morning go to the gym, eat my fish and yams or whatever, and just keep training, year after year after year. It is because I have found a way to enjoy the journey, to detach from the outcome, if only for a moment long enough to love my life for what it is and where it is, and appreciate the things I have and the life I have, then I am truly inspired to continue.

Although in my first example day, that was not the case, overall it was a lesson, a lesson to get back to that passion; that love and that drive, to find what fuels my fire and keeps me going.  This is where I encourage you, to find love and excitement and passion in your training and your diet for that matter.  To respect the chicken and broccoli, and enjoy it for what it is, become one with it.   See how far this love will take you.  Love and Passion for sport has carried me and my training for over 23 years, so I am sure it works.  

Wishing you health and happiness,

www.nancygeorges.net

The stronger the attachments, the greater the cost
The more that is hoarded, the deeper the loss
Know what is enough, be without disgrace.

- Tao Te Ching no 4

 

About The Author:

Nancy Georges runs a private hypnotherapy practice in Glendale, California. She also offers one on one Personal Training and Life Coaching. Nancy is a Certified Lifestyle Fitness Coach, Certified Fitness Nutrition Coach, Certified Hypnotherapist, Certified Sports Hypnotist and Certified NLP Practitioner. She is dedicated to the mind and body as one unit and treats her mind with as much respect as her body. Nancy is a former Ms. Fitness USA Champion and currently an active National level figure competitor.

Nancy's newest addition to helping mainstream America put the FUN back into fitness and to achieve their fitness goals easily and effortlessly is her new hypnosis audio program: The Fitness Excellence™ Hypnosis Series Nancy uses a combination of elegant light hearted metaphors combined with direct suggestion to easily and effortlessly facilitate change at the unconscious level. Nancy is also the author of Crossing The Line- Discovering Your True Fitness Potential, Her original audio program.