The Psychology of a Champion: What's the Best Approach to Reach Your Fitness Goals?

Following the Fitness text, I wanted to share three tools that have had a real impact on my ability to achieve my goals. This is where we'll find out if you're ready to become a true champion.

Ready? 1, 2, 3, go!

1- Find an Inner Source of Motivation

Mirror, mirror on the wall

For me, the first key is finding your deep motivation. Of course you want to fit into your jeans! But long-term, the slimming effect is a comparative element that never satisfies you. You know I'm right, because like me you've heard that little voice a billion times telling you you're not as hot as Brad Pittbull or Angelina Jolie. And you know, you've probably noticed they're aging too... hair falls out, and so do breasts! Your morale risks taking an even more spectacular dive if the best image of yourself is trapped in a photo album.

Look at me!

Wanting to prove to your parents, friends or colleagues that you can accomplish something is also a trap. The last time you tried that, you ended up in psychotherapy! No, wanting to run a marathon after visiting the city wasn't sufficient training. When you try to do things to impress others, you often end up performing to an empty balcony. When your speech rings false, it's like an echo that skids: nobody really hears what you have to say. They're even less inclined to follow you on your detours, you go in circles and sink deep. You need to find the reason that will make you believe, the killer reason that will make your quest a point of no return.

Save my soul

Oh, how existential that sounds! But it's the truth; deep motivation is found within you. And if you have trouble distinguishing the little voice showing you the way from the one tearing you apart, forget Oprah or the Dalai Lama. Nobody outside of you has ready-made answers to give you, because the real reason lies in what you feel right here, right now, IN YOUR BODY.

Yes, you got it right, your quality of life is sufficient motivation to stay on course with your goals. When you feel lighter in your movements, when you feel more energy getting up in the morning, you'll be more fulfilled in all other aspects of life. You'll understand then that what you can accomplish has no limits. But before climbing a mountain seems as mundane as picking your nose, you'll still have things to learn, because getting fit is a process that will make you grow well beyond appearances.

2. Anchor Your Goals in Daily Life

Setting Priorities 101

When your body is fulfilled, happiness is automatic. Every second, your body speaks and tells you what it needs to make you happy. But you're too preoccupied with the latest finalists of The Voice or Big Brother and you don't realize yet that you're missing the mark. So how can you stay true to your commitments through daily life and all those unconscious reflexes that make you squint?

Get out of this body

You can ask yourself questions about your childhood to understand the hows and whys of your current weaknesses. You'll then find plenty of reasons to curse your parents and give too much importance to the past. After a long detour that will waste more time and energy, you'll be back at square one looking for your destiny in a fortune cookie.

Dare to Take Control

You can also decide to trust your body by showing it the direction to take. You know, to drive your earthly vehicle, there's a command center you inherited the key to at birth. If your senses guide your thoughts, you alone decide which direction your gaze will linger. Take the lead by directing your thoughts to things related to your goals.

Success Portfolio

If you like images, hang photos of what you want to accomplish in a healthy body. Target an achievement that seems physically possible but currently difficult. To bring your body to a higher level of mastery, the adventure still needs to scare you a little. To break out of old reflexes pulling you toward sedentary life and excess, you need to leave your comfort zone. If the second floor of your house is the highest summit you've ever reached, hang a photo of a mountain you want to climb on your fridge; if your neighbor's pool is the deepest hole you've explored, hang an image of the Titanic wreck on your bedroom ceiling. Every time you see these images, you'll remember your goal. Every time you remember your goal, you'll get a little closer to it. But most importantly, your efforts will seem worthwhile because they'll appear more real, more concrete.

Reprogram Your Mind

If like me you're hard-headed, you can set an intention through a phrase you repeat every time you feel doubt, frustration or discouragement. It could be for example: My body is the most extraordinary machine that exists and it deserves to be nourished with the best things every day. And especially don't forget to breathe when you say it, breathing is the first way to nourish your body. Plus, breathing consciously has the gift of making your destructive thoughts as harmless as a fly in a spider's web.

Have Fun

If these measures aren't enough to bring you back to your quest, remember that after all, it's just a game. Keep the open attitude and capacity for wonder of a child. When you were little, you believed in Santa Claus, and admit you pretty much always ended up getting what you wanted. And when the big bearded guy didn't bring what you asked for, you came back at it, again and again, you were fixed on the goal, determined. Why, now that you have more experience and more means, would this ability to persevere have left you? And admit that was the most fun part; the fact that you didn't have all the answers. You asked and you received and you didn't spoil the fun by wondering how. If pleasure isn't part of the adventure, it's because you've lost this ability to laugh at your mistakes. You're already a loser before even starting. So, take one step at a time and give yourself space to laugh at yourself when you stumble.

3. Surround Yourself Well

Shut up!

The last key might seem obvious, but it can be a trap if you don't pay attention. Human beings are social beings and can only find their essence if they recognize a role in society as a whole. I know you like having attention on you, but if you talk about your health goals to just anyone, you risk finding more resistance than encouragement. Those who love you and want the best for you don't always know how to set aside their own anxieties to advise or support you wisely. You sabotage your dreams well enough on your own like a big boy, you don't need advice from your mother who'll always tell you you're not eating enough or your Aunt Aline who's been on 56 diets. You just need one dream destroyer among your loved ones to undermine your energy, so choose carefully who you share your goals with. Start by identifying negative people in your circle and arrange to avoid them. Then, seek the presence of those who have good energy and with whom you feel good.

Birds of a Feather

If you do your homework well and stay open, you'll instinctively know with whom to share your dreams and seek support. Whether it's someone who has already successfully gone through the process, a support group or a friend always ready for challenges, being well accompanied, besides giving you better chances of success, will provide all sorts of excuses to have more fun. In difficult moments, solitude sometimes amplifies problems. Being able to share allows you to gain distance and put your challenges in perspective.

Being well surrounded also means it will be easier to get inspired and bring more flexibility to your plan. Others' experience will then give more strength to your convictions. You'll discover strengths you didn't think you had and you'll see more clearly the next summit you'll want to reach.

I Am a Champion

Having the psychology of a champion is above all a matter of attitude; after all, you're the only one responsible for your success. You may have a plan and tools, but it's your ability to take responsibility and persevere that gets you to the finish line filled with pride. And this attitude is cultivated in everything you undertake. A champion uses challenges to rise above what they were, they feed on them. If you properly use these three keys, your fitness program could become a springboard to improve other aspects of your life. In the commitment you make to yourself at every moment, there's a step toward something greater being taken in the right direction.