Changing Habits and the Devil Within
Did you ever wonder how the giant chain gyms in North America, (ie Ballys and 24 Hour Fitness etc.), manage to provide such a vast array of expensive equipment and classes whilst charging members $39 per month? Imagine what the rent alone must cost on those huge spaces in downtown locations, never mind the electricity bills, the staff, cleaning people and group instructors.
Here is how they manage to make money. They have room for about 1,000 people to use the gym but they sell 20,000 memberships knowing that 80% of the people will keep paying their monthly fees but they will not use the gym for very long. There will probably be too many people in there with you in January, (New Years resolutions….) but don`t worry, you will soon have plenty of space. New Years resolutions will promptly be abandoned by 80% of those people in your way.
Whenever we try to start a healthy new habit our biggest enemy is our own brain. Brains do not like to start new habits, they like the ones you already have. For example- You are stressed out so you reach for a cookie or a beer or a cigarette. Every time you made the unhealthy, easy choice in the past, you hardwired your brain to think it was good for you, even though it was a harmful choice. “Neurons that fire together wire together”, (Hebbs Law) and you form pathways to pleasant brain chemicals such as Seratonin and Dopamine. Bad habits are usually deeply entrenched and your subconscious will actively resist change.
You could think of it like a devil and an angel on each shoulder. Your angel is your good intentions, (the conscious mind) and your devil is your subconscious mind. When it is time to go to the gym, the devil whispers all kinds of perfectly logical reasons not to go…..you`re too tired or busy today, you can go tomorrow, you can start again after the kids are back in school, after Christmas, after you lose ten pounds etc etc.
Unfortunately, you DO NOT control those self-sabotaging thoughts, the subconscious does. You WILL, most certainly, think them. Your only choice is how you act after the thought comes. You can choose to say, “Shut up devil! I want to form a new habit and I know what you are up to! Knowledge is power, but you have to know the thought is coming and believe me it will! You will find yourself arguing with the devil in your head. If you have really made up your mind to change, you can win the battle in your brain.
Now, for the good news. If you persevere in going to the gym for 40 days, without fail, without giving in to the devil, your brain will become your greatest ally. Exercise is natural, feels good after a while and produces those lovely neurotransmitters we mentioned, (Dopamine, Seratonin etc). You will become addicted to exercise just like you were to the alcohol, sugar and cigarettes. After changing one major habit successfully, you will feel so great about yourself, that it may translate into other areas of your life like eating a healthy diet and could even improve your career or your relationships.
If you would like to learn more about fitness or are ready to make a change in your life email me at robynlittlewood@yahoo.com or visit the Flat Belly Fitness Seminar held Sundays at the Hotel Villa del Arco on Sundays from 4-5 pm. Local residents are welcome.