It’s less than a month into January and are you already struggling with your New Year’s Resolution, or worse yet, already given up? Don’t despair. James Banish from the ATI Wellness Center in Hamburg, MI has some words of inspiration to help you focus on yourself to become the best you.
Article by James Banish, ATI Wellness Center
Have you ever wondered what separates your typical professional athlete and the super stars? There are always those special players that are able to rise above the rest and set a new standard of how a sport should be played. One may say they are gifted, or they worked harder for it. This may play a roll in their success but at a professional level of competition where physical capabilities are as honed in as can be, it’s the mental game that determines the winners from the losers.
The mental game is why defenses use intimidation to get into their opponents heads and why offenses use trick plays to break down their opposition’s morale. Your mental attention is what will make the difference between a perfect landing in gymnastics or a missed putt in golf. Having the confidence to do great things and swagger to surpass personal bests is why world records are constantly being broken every year. Scientists are finding that the body and mind are more closely linked than originally presumed and this correlation is prevalent when you break down “The Greats” from the “Average Joes”.
Be Positive
The only way to really appreciate the potential we all possess is to break down how we interact on a day-by-day basis. One of the simplest things you can do is to live your life to the fullest. “How do I do that?” you may ask. Well it’s simple. Keep a positive attitude. Happiness is our natural state of being and putting yourself in stressful situations has a negative effect on the body.
Scientists have found that dwelling on stressful events can increase inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is linked to many conditions including various cardiovasculr disorders such as heart disease, as well as dementia, cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have found that women who were optimistic had a decreased rate of death and were less likely to be diabetic or suffer from hypertension. Self-promoted positivity has been linked to a strengthened immune system, decreased recovery time after surgery and can help combat depression. With new studies like this one linking how your emotions can affect the biology of your body, putting yourself in a position for success can make a significant difference.
Over the course of the next few months, we will be looking at simple ways to put yourself into the driver’s seat of your life. Small life changes equate to shifts that can move mountains. The real question is, “Do you have what it takes to be the best you?”
Our first simple step:
Your New Year’s Resolution. Do you want to be a statistic this year, or an individual?
A New Year’s Resolution can be a tricky thing to execute if you lack the motivation and determination to reach your goals. The key when planning your New Year’s Resolution is to consider this simple quote:
“If you keep doing the same thing, you’re going to keep getting the same results.”
You need to focus on creating new good habits that will promote your New Year’s Resolution. However, steady changes will last longer than trying to change everything at once. Make the choice to go the gym 2x a week if you only go once, or 3x if you’re only going twice. Ease yourself into these changes because upsetting your daily routine will only leave you frustrated and unispired to push when you hit a speed bump.
Be Awesome!
Looking for a new gym? ATI Fitness Center has three state-of-the-art full service health clubs with locations in Carol Stream, Illinois; Downers Grove, Illinois; and South Lyon, Michigan, and operates a wellness center in Hamburg, MI.