I’ve had several conversations recently with people who have an identity crisis happening.
Change is tough for most, and it’s even harder when we don’t accept the change.
I’ve seen it happen numerous times over the years. People start to get in better shape, they’re losing weight, they’re thinking in a more positive manner, they’re making healthier choices…all the signs of success.
BUT, when they look in the mirror, they still see the person they were. The person in the mirror is still fat. The person in the mirror is still negative. The person in the mirror is still who they used to be, and getting rid of that image is more difficult than ever imagined.
Have you ever had success with something, and feel like you don’t deserve it. It could be love, money, health, career…you finally get what you thought you wanted, only to still feel like it doesn’t belong to you.
The problem lies between those ears of yours. Do you know who talks to you more than anyone else every day? YOU!
Ask yourself this, if you heard yourself saying the things you tell yourself out loud to someone else, would you be appalled? Would you stand by and allow those things to be said? Would you feel compelled to speak up and intervene? If so, it’s time to retrain your thoughts and redefine who you are.
We all face trials and tribulations in life, but it’s up to us to determine whether they define the person we are, or simply allow them to be things we experienced. When we set out to make positive change, we must understand it will change us, and that’s a wonderful thing. Furthermore, we must EMBRACE that change, and adjust the internal narrative accordingly.
For years I didn’t pick up a book. I had told myself over and over I wasn’t a reader, I didn’t like reading, it was boring, and every other bullshit excuse to not read. One day I wised up and realized I was never going to grow without reading. Ask me now, and I’ll happily identify as a reader, and it all started by changing my mindset.
When you constantly tell yourself losing weight is hard, it will be. If you don’t see yourself as fit, you will always hold yourself back. If you don’t believe you are worthy of love, you will always have relationship woes.
As an adult, who you are is determined by what you continually tell yourself. That doesn’t mean you can magically become rich just by saying you’re a billionaire, or an alligator by saying it’s so. What it means is your internal dialogue controls your actions more often than not, and you begin to identify with those stories. If you tell yourself you’re a fit person, you begin to exhibit behaviors fit people embody. Those behaviors then reinforce your new thought pattern, and the change you sought is now a reality.
What are you telling yourself every day? Is your personal narrative in alignment with what you say you want out of life? Are you willing to embrace the person you have become?
Be honest with yourself, take some time to answer these questions, and adjust accordingly.
As always, if there is anything I can help you with in regards to your fitness, nutrition, & mindset, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
I’m Marc Z, and I’m Making America Fit Again!