Embarking on a sustainable fitness journey involves more than just the physical exercises; it’s about cultivating a new mindset. One powerful shift is transitioning from the mentality of “I have to…” to “I get to.” 💪🏽
When we view our fitness routine as something we “have to” do, it can feel like a chore, leading to lack of motivation and consistency. On the other hand, adopting the mindset of “I get to” brings a sense of gratitude and empowerment. Which is vital when creating the habit of lovingly taking care of you and your already beautiful body!
“I get to” implies choice and embracing the opportunity to take care of you. It reframes your workouts as individual opportunities to show yourself love rather than obligations. Consider the shift from “I have to go to the gym, ugh” to “I get to improve my strength and well-being through a workout today!”
This mindset shift is huge! It encourages a more sustainable approach to fitness. Instead of feeling burdened by rigid routines. You begin to appreciate the chance to move your body and invest in your health. It’s about finding joy in the journey rather than fixating solely on end goals. Remember, life is all about the journey not the destination!
So, how can you embrace the “I get to” mentality in your fitness journey?
- Gratitude Practice:
- Start each workout with a moment of gratitude. Acknowledge the privilege of having a functioning body and the opportunity to enhance it.
- I always program in a moment to take a deep breath into my warmup so that it is nonnegotiable. I use this moment to acknowledge and FEEL the gratitude for this opportunity to honor my body and for myself for making the choice to workout today.
- Focus on Positivity:
- Shift your self-talk from “I have to” statements to positive “affirmations”. For example, replace…
- “I have to do cardio” with “I get to boost my cardiovascular health and my energy levels.”
- “I have to lift weights” for “I get to build strength and resilience though weight lifting.”
- “I have to stay consistent,” say “I get to build a sustainable and healthy lifestyle that benefits me in all areas of my life.”
- Make the decision to foster awareness of your current self-talk and notice with compassion when you are using those old conditioned phrases. Then, simply acknowledge this old conditioning and replace it with positive, “I get to” phrases. Repeat this process every time you catch yourself using the old conditioning phrases you are used to and overtime this positivity will become your new habit!
- Recognize and Celebrate Achievements:
- Recognize and celebrate milestones, no matter how “small.” Each step forward is a testament to what you “get to” experience on this journey.
- Each “small” step, each achievement is a vote towards the person you are becoming! So celebrate yourself, you are becoming YOU with each step 🤩
- Explore Enjoyable Activities:
- Engage in exercises you genuinely enjoy. When your fitness routine aligns with your interests, it becomes something you eagerly anticipate rather than dread.
- Try working with a good coach that makes exercise fun, or try a group fitness class with your best friend!
- Connect with Others:
- Share your “I get to” mindset with a supportive community. Encourage and uplift others, fostering a positive environment that reinforces your commitment to this new and powerful mindset.
- Join the Coach Krissy Fitness facebook community that we are growing to celebrate each other!
This change in perspective has changed my life personally.
I used to work out because “I had to,” because I didn’t feel worthy. I didn’t love myself or my body, and I thought exercise was a way to find that love for myself. I believed if my body looked a certain way, then I could love myself. That was simply an illusion. My body was never the problem. I have always been worthy and deserving of my own love, but I made it conditional. Love should always be unconditional, especially for yourself.
When, I wasn’t consistent with my exercises, and I often dreaded my workouts because I was doing things that didn’t bring me joy, but that I did because it “burned the most calories.” Finally, after many years of “yo-yo” working out and dieting, I made the radical decision to adopt this “I GET TO” mentality. It is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Now, I look forward to my workouts and other self-care opportunities because I love taking care of me! This is what I hope for you too.
Remember, your fitness journey is a personal adventure. Shifting from “I have to” to “I get to” not only transforms your mindset but also paves the way for sustainable, enjoyable, and fulfilling progress. You are worthy of taking care of YOU! You GET to take care of yourself and it feels amazing when you start a sustainable fitness journey for life! Embrace the privilege of taking charge of your health, and let each workout be a celebration of what you get to achieve. ✨💪🏽
Coach Krissy Fitness 