Believe You Can
After 13 days of watching the Olympics I find myself experiencing even more admiration than I thought possible for all those superb athletes. Behind their individual performances lies years of training; years of suffering physically and mentally to become the best athlete they could become; years of giving up parties, rest & free-time just in hopes of making the Olympic Team. What made them stick to it? Money surely didn't'. Fame didn't (we Canadians have good knowledge of professional athletes but give little attention to the amateurs until the Olympics occur). No, they just wanted to be the best they could be, and I admire them for that.
What is it that holds us back? We want to lose weight, we want better health, and we want to be physically fit yet reach an impasse because the daily grind seems just too much. Mind you there is no Olympic medal if we reach our goal; what we get is just a tremendous amount of self respect. Instead of feeling constant guilt, we develop pride in what we have done. You don't have to be thinner than another person , or do more exercise than everyone else you just have to do those things that you know will make you feel better about yourself.
Think "SUCCESS” – don't think "failure.” You will achieve; you will not fail. You will keep on trying, because this is your life and you want to succeed at health. We cannot ever give in to those thoughts of failure. (For example: "I've done this before and it never works.”)
Remind yourself regularly that you are better than you think you are. Successful people are not superhuman. Success does not require a superior intellect. Nor is there anything mystical about success; success isn't based on luck. Successful people are just ordinary folks who have developed belief in themselves and what they do. Never, ever sell yourself short.
When I watch these athletes, I know that at no time was there ever any guarantee they would be successful, or the best in their sport. All they could do was train hard, eat right, and train more in the hopes that one day they might be good enough to qualify for the Olympics. They trained without any guarantee of success. Can you eat right and exercise even though there is no guarantee you will reach your goal? It is tough isn't it? But is there any other option?
Getting up every day, affirming that you will ‘do your best' and then trying to eat 3 small meals and 3 small snacks, and do some exercise is in the Olympic spirit. You do it to make yourself better. You do it because you know if you're consistent that good things will happen. The end result is indeed in the future, but you must learn to enjoy this day, and learn to enjoy the good feeling that occurs when you have a day of clean eating and have done some exercise.
It's difficult. It isn't impossible. It does take mental work. The results, however, are worth it. So, don't give up. Work on today, don't fret about tomorrow. You WILL do it!
Dr. Doug