Monday, February 14, 2022

Fitness and Our Mental Health: Stuck in a Moment (Part 3 of 3)

Never underestimate the impact of a pivotal moment

By Tracy Steen

I've been engrossed lately in fitness psychology and physiology and how the two influence each other. One of the profound lessons that I have learned over my 10 years of being a trainer and former therapist is that when someone can't stick to a healthy eating and regular exercise routine, it's not because they're lazy or lack discipline and willpower. If we are to discover why it doesn't stick, we must be willing to take a deep dive into our past, our patterns, and, most specifically, into our inner selves.

We all have moments in our lives that write on the slate of who we are and who we become. We must acknowledge this; a moment that is a 10/10 for me in terms of my reactions may have little to zero impact on you (of course, that is mostly due to context).

For example, I could hear a car backfiring and it would have no effect on me. Another person could hear a car backfiring and it would trigger memories of growing up in a war-torn country where loud, explosive noises meant danger, and they may have an enormous reaction to the very same moment. When it does, it changes who we are.

Working on yourself is sometimes scary, but it must be done if you truly want to change. If not, you may get stuck in a cycle that can wreak havoc with your physical health and your mental health. The two are symbiotic.

Concerning food and exercise, maybe you grew up in a family that didn't encourage exercise or had a father who pointed and laughed at overweight people. Or perhaps you were told that only skinny people are successful, so your mother weighed you every day. Maybe you were put on a diet when you were a child or noticed that your father no longer offered you a hug when you felt sad. Perhaps one of your parents acted like a child, and you had to grow up quickly and take on that role, and there was no time to play outside and be a kid.

All these examples I just listed are true stories that I have heard every year from different clients, desperately wanting to change their health and fitness. But they’re not able—at least in their mind—to make it stick. I'm learning that it's not just a new diet and a basic exercise plan that will help change your health. The deep and sometimes scary work that must be done if you truly want to change is you.

It’s kind of like investigative reporting.

Investigative reporting uses tips and sources to uncover essential truths. Sometimes they spend months and even years researching. It’s the same process when trying to figure out why you can’t stop overeating, or why you keep defaulting on that gym membership. The journey isn’t a short one and certainly not without its bumps along the way, but it will lead you to a happier and healthier self.

Helpful Tips

You are already giving yourself all the tips you need for change; you just need to start paying attention and asking the more profound question of why.

You overeat when you’re not hungry (Why am I eating? What just happened?)
You avoid conflict at all costs and keep uncomfortable thoughts to yourself (What am I afraid of? Is my life in danger or does it just feel like it?)
You stress eat (What’s the story that I am telling myself that is causing this stress?)
You cancel your workouts when you’re not feeling motivated (Why am I relying on motivation? Do I feel worthy of happiness and health? If not, why?)
You withdraw because you feel unwanted (I feel unloved; why? Am I unlovable?)
You shut down because you feel inadequate (Why do I feel like I must be perfect? What story am I telling myself? Will I be rejected if I’m not?)

Helpful Resources

Use some sources to educate yourself about where you need to start digging. This is the investigative work of moving daily for all of us! Below are some of the recent books and talks I have read and listened to that have profoundly shifted my life and allowed me to figure out why I do what I do so that I can continue to grow.

Books

YouTube

Tracy Steen is a former therapist with a masters degree in counselling. In 2008 she turned to personal training, and she now spends her days combining both, helping thousands of people. Check out her YouTube channel for free weekly workouts, nutrition, and wellness guidance.

Fitness and Our Mental Health: Stuck in a Moment (Part 3 of 3)

Helpful Tips

Helpful Resources

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