This morning I received an email from my husband announcing the Eisenbahn Full and Half-Marathon to be held in West Bend at the end of August. The listing on active.com confirmed the deal was sealed! I ran a little harder than usual as I considered the fun we would have with friends that race weekend. In addition, it got me to thinking (as exercise often does), how much does a positive attitude affect our training commitment?
I am the middle child, the peace-maker, with beliefs of moderation and consideration for circumstances before jumping to judgment (at least I try). The glass is neither half-full nor half-empty..it simply is what it is. When it comes to exercise and personal goal-attainment an inspiring quote can push me forward. Experiences of individuals who have excelled in spite of troubling circumstances and hardships provide me with a "can-do" attitude. While positive thinking heightens my commitment to physical goals, its application to other areas in my life often misses the mark. Exercise is a positive experience for me already, thus adding an inspiring quote from a successful athlete compliments my nature. I wonder however, if you consider exercise to be a negative experience, does a positive affirmation seem trite and meaningless hence creating the desire to respond with, "You can't understand my struggle or where I am coming from?" While I consider myself to be a positive thinker I believe there are times in our life when it is o.k. to acknowledge that a particular situation is far from what was anticipated. Sometimes with health, parenting, marriage, relationships or work it seems like no amount of positive thinking will actually create the change desired. And maybe it won't. Perhaps in certain life situations, the passage of time is more effective at creating change than positive thinking.
Essentially, as a trainer I can share positive quotes, affirmations, strategies and encouragement for keeping exercise fresh and effective but I recognize methods that help me personally may not be effective for everyone nor will they have application to a variety of life situations. Sometimes it is best to not think , to not label "good" or "bad" but simply accept, that in this current moment, it is what it is.
I appreciated reading positive quotes today on Facebook shared from personal trainer Rob Taylor and his site Smarter Team Training. In light of new goals, events, races and tournaments I offer them to you.
Please feel free and comment. If exercise is difficult for you, what motivates you to continue your efforts? Can you apply the positive thoughts that helped you accomplish an exercise goal to other areas of your life such as work, school or relationships...are they effective?
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Albright
Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.
Sports do not build character. They reveal it. Heywood Broun
When you've got something to prove, there's nothing greater than a challenge. Terry Bradshaw
Continuous effort, not strength or intelligence, is the key to unlocking our potential. Winston Churchill
There is no failure except in no longer trying. Hubbard
Accept the challenge so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory.
Do what you love, love what you do. Larson
http://www.active.com/running/west-bend-wi/eisenbahn-marathonhalf-marathon-2010
I am the middle child, the peace-maker, with beliefs of moderation and consideration for circumstances before jumping to judgment (at least I try). The glass is neither half-full nor half-empty..it simply is what it is. When it comes to exercise and personal goal-attainment an inspiring quote can push me forward. Experiences of individuals who have excelled in spite of troubling circumstances and hardships provide me with a "can-do" attitude. While positive thinking heightens my commitment to physical goals, its application to other areas in my life often misses the mark. Exercise is a positive experience for me already, thus adding an inspiring quote from a successful athlete compliments my nature. I wonder however, if you consider exercise to be a negative experience, does a positive affirmation seem trite and meaningless hence creating the desire to respond with, "You can't understand my struggle or where I am coming from?" While I consider myself to be a positive thinker I believe there are times in our life when it is o.k. to acknowledge that a particular situation is far from what was anticipated. Sometimes with health, parenting, marriage, relationships or work it seems like no amount of positive thinking will actually create the change desired. And maybe it won't. Perhaps in certain life situations, the passage of time is more effective at creating change than positive thinking.
Essentially, as a trainer I can share positive quotes, affirmations, strategies and encouragement for keeping exercise fresh and effective but I recognize methods that help me personally may not be effective for everyone nor will they have application to a variety of life situations. Sometimes it is best to not think , to not label "good" or "bad" but simply accept, that in this current moment, it is what it is.
I appreciated reading positive quotes today on Facebook shared from personal trainer Rob Taylor and his site Smarter Team Training. In light of new goals, events, races and tournaments I offer them to you.
Please feel free and comment. If exercise is difficult for you, what motivates you to continue your efforts? Can you apply the positive thoughts that helped you accomplish an exercise goal to other areas of your life such as work, school or relationships...are they effective?
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Albright
Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.
Sports do not build character. They reveal it. Heywood Broun
When you've got something to prove, there's nothing greater than a challenge. Terry Bradshaw
Continuous effort, not strength or intelligence, is the key to unlocking our potential. Winston Churchill
There is no failure except in no longer trying. Hubbard
Accept the challenge so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory.
Do what you love, love what you do. Larson
http://www.active.com/running/west-bend-wi/eisenbahn-marathonhalf-marathon-2010
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