When it comes to fitness, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest trends or compare ourselves to others. But what if we approached fitness differently? What if instead of pushing ourselves to the limit, we focused on mindfulness and self-trust? These two elements might just be the key to not only reaching our fitness goals but also finding a deeper sense of fulfillment in the process.
Understanding Mindful Fitness
Mindful fitness is about being fully present during our workouts. It’s about tuning into our bodies, noticing how we feel, and moving in a way that honors our physical and mental state. Whether it’s a slow, deliberate yoga session or a gentle walk in nature, mindful fitness encourages us to connect with ourselves on a deeper level.
When we practice mindful fitness, we’re not just working out for the sake of burning calories or building muscle. Instead, we’re moving with intention, paying attention to our breath, our form, and the sensations in our bodies. This approach can enhance our physical health while also calming our minds and reducing stress.
For instance, when I am deadlifting, I might focus on pulling the bar slowly up and tightening my entire posterior chain as I am focusing on my breath. I’m not rushing through, counting down how many reps or sets I have left, I’m just focusing on how my body feels. This presence helps me stay grounded and fully experience the moment, rather than getting lost in thoughts about what I need to do later.
Building Self-Trust in Your Fitness Journey
Self-trust is the foundation of a fulfilling fitness journey. It’s about believing in our abilities, listening to our bodies, and making choices that align with our well-being. I believe self trust is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves – it allows us to move away from external pressures and focus on what truly feels correct for us.
To build self-trust, I start by listening to my body. Some days, I might feel energetic and ready for a challenging workout. Other days, I might need something more gentle, like stretching or a slow walk. By honoring these signals, I’m practicing self-care and reinforcing the trust I have in myself. We have been so conditioned by the fitness industry to eat a certain way, to workout a certain amount of time each session and per week. It’s as though we have forgotten to ask our bodies what they want and need. Our bodies are highly intuitive and will tell you what it needs, we just have to be willing to ask, listen and trust.
I let go of fitness goals a while back. For me, it felt like it was something that I was always reaching for. Now my “goals” look like moving my body daily in ways that feel nourishing to it. Challenging my body with new activities. For instance this past winter, I had never skied or snowboarded and it was one of the things I wanted to try. I went into it with the feeling of fun and curiosity to see what I could do. I had a great time and spent a lot of the winter skiing because I liked that better than snowboarding. I think so many of us are afraid to let go of goals because we have been taught that we have to have them and if we don’t then we won’t accomplish much. I actually believe the opposite. If we don’t have goals, then we don’t limit what our bodies can do with our minds. What if you can actually run farther, faster or lift heavier but because you have a goal attached, you don’t experience your full capability?
The Power of Authenticity in Fitness
Authenticity is about staying true to ourselves, even in our fitness routines. It’s easy to get caught up in what others are doing, but what works for someone else might not be what’s best for us or even fun. And I truly believe moving our bodies should and can be fun. By aligning our fitness objectives with our values and passions, we can create a routine that feels both fulfilling and sustainable.
For me, authenticity means choosing activities that I genuinely enjoy. I’m a no for moving my body in ways that aren’t fun or just because someone said that’s what we’re supposed to be doing. Some days I want to go to the gym and lift weights, some days it might be a bike ride. When we lived in Maui, I surfed regularly and swam in the ocean. So many of us get hung up on the activity vs the why behind it. Our bodies like to move, they get better the more we use them so choose activities that feel good to your body and soul even if it’s not what mainstream suggests. Our bodies are our greatest messengers and are highly intuitive, they will give us the answers if we slow down long enough to listen.
Being authentic also means being honest with ourselves. If a particular exercise isn’t working for me, I give myself permission to adjust or try something different. There are different times of the month that I feel stronger. I honor that. I don’t force myself to lift heavy if I am on my cycle. I am in tune with my body now and I understand and listen when it needs rest and when it’s asking for more vigorous activity. Allowing for this flexibility helps me stay committed to my fitness journey without feeling constrained by rigid expectations.
Practical Mindful Fitness Tips
Incorporating mindfulness into my daily exercise doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as taking a few deep breaths before starting a workout or checking in with how I’m feeling at different points during the session. Sometimes, I don’t even workout with music because it can be too much of an input. I just am focused on my breath and my body.
Before I begin any exercise, I take a moment to assess my energy levels and mental state. This helps me decide what type of workout will best serve me that day. During the workout, I pay attention to my form, ensuring that I’m moving in a way that feels safe and supportive. Afterward, I take a few moments to reflect on how I feel – acknowledging any achievements and expressing gratitude for what my body has done.
Gratitude and self-compassion play significant roles in my fitness routine. By focusing on what I can do rather than what I can’t, I cultivate a loving mindset that encourages growth. So many of us are not kind to our bodies. We want them to be faster, thinner, you name it. It’s a rejection of who we are. I always say that our bodies are the only home we will ever have, treat them as such. There are so many things that our bodies do that we don’t even have to think about or tell it what to do. Our thoughts and emotions carry a vibration and if we are feeling critical or self-loathing, our bodies pick up on this and healing and strength training aren’t as effective.
Overcoming Challenges with Self-Trust
Building self-trust is a practice and skill. The more we do it, the better we get at it. There are days when self-doubt will creep in, or when it will feel easier to not stick to what you say you are going to do. When this happens, I always ask myself, if after I do this, will I be glad that I did? And typically the answer is yes. Then I recognize it’s just the ego feeling resistance and I do the thing anyway. Our brains love evidence and what I have found to be helpful is that the more I keep my word to myself, the more evidence I have that I can and do things I commit to. Kind of like a toddler with stickers, it’s the same thing for us adults by sticking with what we commit to. There’s a feeling of pride and satisfaction once we are done. So if you’re having a day when your mind is trying to convince you of all the reasons not to move your body, ask yourself if after you have moved your body, will you be grateful you did? And see what your body tells you.
Another approach is to practice self-compassion. When I’m kind to myself, I create a supportive environment where I can grow and learn vs. shame and guilt. If for some reason I don’t do what I said I would, I ask myself with curiosity instead of judgment. That allows for the space to understand what I was feeling and thinking in the moment that kept me from doing what I said I would. We can learn from these experiences without beating ourselves up.
Final Thoughts
Mindful fitness and self-trust are powerful tools that can transform not only our workouts but also our overall well-being. By being present, staying true to ourselves, and cultivating self-trust, we can create a fitness routine that is both empowering and authentic. I truly feel that it is the journey that matters, not the destination. Abraham Hicks always says, “You can’t have a happy ending to an unhappy journey” And when we think of it this way, we get to feel proud, satisfied and fulfilled along the way instead of something that we withhold from ourselves until we reach the finish line. Because let’s be honest with ourselves, there is no finish line.
As always, from my soul to yours,
Erin.