Break out of the mindset holding your fitness back - Part 2

1# way for consistent fitness success

Part 2

Chris Shah

Founder, Fitness Coach

Can You Show Me a Video?

Don’t worry, I got you covered. In the video above, I discuss how to break out of "identity oriented" approach. Here’s the video:

You are now aware that you are using an “Identity Oriented’ approach to fitness.

(For those of you in a “process oriented” approach, next newsletter will be on the process.)

This approach (“identity”) is the signature of NOT getting what you want on a consistent basis.  How do you get out of an “Identity Oriented’ approach?

Well first, I’m going out on an experienced coaching limb.

Your brain is a constant blender of movies right?

From one side you have the past movie montage of I “should have”, “I wish”, “I regret”, “If only”.

From the other side you have the future movie montage of salvations and wishes. “When I get” ,“One Day” ,“I will be ____, when _____ happens, etc.”

This leaves the present completely crowded and drowned out.

With both past and future movies shouting down upon you, it overstimulates your sympathetic nervous system. (The flight, fight, and freeze) part of your system. This stimulates stress hormones and fat holding hormones.

This starts a downward neurological spiral, turning down the volume of your parasympathetic nervous system and your Prefrontal Cortex. (The responsible and disciplined part of us)

How do I get out of this Identity Oriented approach?

If you are in “Process oriented approach” you can use this to sharpen your process saw.

Create Presence

Meditate at least 5 min per day. This makes the prefrontal cortex stronger.

This turns the volume down on the shouting. This also opens the door for increased discipline to walk in. The only criteria for success as you mediate is to follow your breath. Know that being bad at meditation when you first start helps your will power become resilient.  

Many of the most successful people, entrepreneurs, teachers, athletes, martial artists and myself create the benefits of meditation or presence to our continued success and fulfillment.

“MEDITATION more than any other factor has been the secret to whatever success I’ve had,” Ray Dalio, Billionaire founder of the world’s largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates

Become the Watcher

To help break out of identity process during the day become the watcher of the identity. This means when you have an “identity process” moment like “I’m not good at this” or an un-resourceful situation take a mental step back, watch the identity as something passing by you.

For example: picture the un-resourceful identity energy as a boat on the horizon sailing by. When you do this,  you create space and loosen your attachment and identity to it.

Another way to create presence is to watch intently a bird or tree outside. Sounds silly,
I know, but just concentrate and observe the bird flying or the branches swaying back and forth in the wind.

Science has proven meditation(presence) to super charge your brain.

What’s in it for your fitness and fat loss goals?

Meditation increases Plasticity in your brain.

Plasticity increases your brain’s ability to change meaning new FITNESS, FAT LOSS, EATING and HEALTHY LIFESTYLE HABITS.

Meditation increases Gray Matter in your brain.

Gray matter increases your brains decision making ability meaning it will help you make FITNESS, FAT LOSS, EATING and HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHOICES that are in line with your goals.

The question is why are you NOT meditating or creating presence?

You can have consistent incremental fitness and fat loss success.

You just need to follow the process!

This can be you.