Dead_Nerd

I wrote this to help inspire and motivate those people (me included) that can't seem to get started on that whole "eating right" deal, or just decides to sleep in that one more hour instead of getting up and running.

There are many people who claim that the mind has the ability to control the body completely; that anything can be accomplished if you just put your mind to it. I completely agree, to an extent. But how does one achieve such control over the body, to the point where anything can be accomplished? In essence, how can one master the body?

We all know the feeling. You're tired, you're happy laying in your bed; content to sleep the day away (even though you promised yourself the night before that you would get up and workout). This is a perfect example of the body overcoming the mind. Your body is telling you that it wants to sleep more, and your mind is content with this, since it is pleasent at the time. So what do you do? You sleep in more, of course. We now come to the root of the problem - motivation. How on earth did your mindset change completely while you were sleeping? The answer is that it didn't. What people need to learn is that the moment defines the mind, until the mind can overcome the moment. I know what you are thinking, what kind of gibberish is this? Let me explain.

Think about the last time you decided not to workout. You planned on it, you set the time aside, and you end up reading a book or watching TV instead. Why? Because when that pivotal point came, when you were supposed to start working out, your mind made a choice. I say that your mind made this choice because it was completely unconcious. Sure, you may look back and say "Oh man I can't believe I chose not to workout", but really, you never even had the choice. If you did; if you were conciously trying to decide what option would be best for you, you would have worked out. I say this because I know for a fact that you looked back and wished that you had worked out. So why didn't you?

It all comes back to mind over matter. The only problem is, it is not the concious mind that needs the motivation. You know all of the reasons you should be working out, but your unconcious thought process is against it. Why? Because it involves physical work, and it is hard. Lets face it, if it was easy, you wouldn't be sitting here reading this. So what do you do?

You need to stop thinking of the workout as a single point in time. Sure, you can set aside some time in the day to do it, but that won't help you get motivated, will it? No. You need to think of the workout as an ongoing process, and think long term. Tomorrow will you be happy that you worked out today? Yes, you will. Thus, the mind is able to realize the benefits of working out on a subconcious level. I guarantee you, the first time will not be easy. You will start to workout, and think instantly - "This is a reaaally bad idea." Maybe not conciously, but deep down, your body protests. Think long term. When you are about to push out that last set, and your muscles are sore and aching, think long term. Remind yourself constantly that it is not in the present that you define yourself. It is in the future that you will reap the fruits of your labor. It is in the future - the next week, the next month, that you will start to be the person you want to be. So start right now, start to be that person you so desperately yearn for, become who you truly want to be. And when that decision comes in the morning whether or not to workout, know that you will only achieve your goals through sacrifice. For "the champion is someone who gets up when he can't." (Jack Dempsey)






Not sure if I really got my message across like I wanted to, but hey if it helps you get the motivation you need, then I'm glad I helped! Thanks guys, and always remember to push on!

Tom Yum

Nice post, Dead Nerd.

I've been doing alot of running. LOTS of running. Keeping a brisk pace after 2-3 miles is tough (for me) now that I've bumped my distance up to 5 miles its even tougher because my body hurts and my mind tries to follow my body. I am allmost able to run 4 miles under 8:00 per mile.

When I get to that last mile, I can do one of two things. I can up the ferocity of my mental state (which makes the run feel harder) but helps me cover the remaining distance faster or I can work for a laser-like focus on some point down the trail, temporarily forget the pain and keep up a good finishing pace. However, I'll never quit.

Thanks for the message of encouragement.

95 Mystic TA

Great article. Starting at 135lbs and 6'1, I of been working out for a complete year in April. I now weigh 175 and look, feel and perform better than ever.

I don't gain weight or muscle very easy due to my bodytype and that was discouraging at first and I sometimes wanted to use that as an excuse for skipping my routine.

Only in the past few months have I started to develop my mind and started not only ignoring (within reason) my body's desire to half ass my workout/training but to also to quit making excuses. Acknowleding but not giving in when I am tempted at times to not finish a set, or to not excert (?sp) that extra energy into a techique makes it easier each time.

My Guru has been preaching this train of though for quite sometime but only recently did I actually start to understand what he was trying to relay to me.

bbbb

To get out of your head( blaming yourself for not going for a run and woe is me I'm a victim of my own sub-concious mind) and into your "knowing"/"gut-instinct"/spirit that reside's in you...align the heart.

If you feel; like sleeping in...do it with heart...feel and do...and feel good about it. Feel your emotion's and you will know what to do. One day you will feel like going for a run! Believe me.

Be decisive. FULL INTENTION. If you fully intend to sleep in...do it with conviction. Use attack/Attack is the foundation of thought=decide..trust your feeling's/gut instinct/. HEY, the body need's sleep you know!

__________________
Use attack as your indestructable spiritual strength.
Awareness is the spirit.
Attack is the foundation of thought.
Attack like thunder from the heaven's.
Retreat like dust of the earth.

bbbb

"Think about the last time you decided not to workout. You planned on it, you set the time aside, and you end up reading a book or watching TV instead. Why? Because when that pivotal point came, when you were supposed to start working out, your mind made a choice. I say that your mind made this choice because it was completely unconcious. Sure, you may look back and say "Oh man I can't believe I chose not to workout", but really, you never even had the choice. If you did; if you were conciously trying to decide what option would be best for you, you would have worked out. I say this because I know for a fact that you looked back and wished that you had worked out. So why didn't you?

It all comes back to mind over matter. The only problem is, it is not the concious mind that needs the motivation. You know all of the reasons you should be working out, but your unconcious thought process is against it. Why? Because it involves physical work, and it is hard. Lets face it, if it was easy, you wouldn't be sitting here reading this. So what do you do? "

You conciously made the decision not to work out and read the book instead. What is subconcious I believe to be "just ignored". It's O.K. to not be Bruce Lee... he made concious decision's to over-work!

__________________
Use attack as your indestructable spiritual strength.
Awareness is the spirit.
Attack is the foundation of thought.
Attack like thunder from the heaven's.
Retreat like dust of the earth.