Boost Your Own Confidence!

We all have what I like to call inner chatter — that voice in your head that says "I can't do this" or "Yes, I can do this!" What does the voice inside your head say about your efforts to get fit? Are the messages positive and encouraging, or just the opposite?

Make a conscious effort today to take note of your inner chatter so that you can decide whether it's helping you succeed in your exercise efforts — or holding you back. If your inner self-talk is negative, it's easy enough to fix; it just takes some practice!

Next time you're heading to the gym or deciding whether or not to go for a jog, take note of any negative messages you send yourself and replace them with a positive spin! Here are some ways you can change negative thinking:

Instead of thinking "This won't work," think "I can make this work!"

Instead of "It's a waste of time," think "It will be worth the extra effort!"

Instead of "It's not going to make a difference," think "I'll never know unless I try!"

Instead of "It hasn't worked before," think "I'll try again!"

Instead of "I've already tried that," think "I can learn from my mistakes!"

Instead of "I don't like that exercise" or "It sounds too difficult," think "I'm excited to try some new things!"

Instead of "That was painful! Never again," think "Wow, I just got through some hard work, and next time it will be easier!"

You can learn to be positive about getting fit — just practice having a more optimistic mind-set. Be your own cheerleader and boost your own confidence.