Attitude can make or break your fitness journey. Having the right mindset and approach to exercise is just as important as the physical training itself. Your attitude directly impacts your motivation, consistency, and overall results. Below we will explore in-depth how attitude affects fitness with examples and why is attitude an important fitness level factor to consider.
How Attitude Impacts Motivation
Motivation is the driving force behind starting and sticking with any fitness routine. Without sufficient motivation, it’s difficult to maintain discipline and consistency with workouts. Attitude plays a major role in motivation.
Those with a negative attitude tend to view exercise as a chore or something they “have to do.” This breeds feelings of resentment and avoidance rather than enthusiasm. On the other hand, a positive attitude views fitness as an exciting challenge and opportunity for growth. This makes it easier to get pumped up and eager to work out.
For example, let’s say your goal is to start running 3 days a week. On Monday, you wake up thinking “Ugh, I do not feel like running today. It’s going to be so painful and boring.” This negative attitude will sap your motivation to get out the door. However, if you instead think “I’m looking forward to crushing this run and improving my endurance!” your positivity will make it easier to lace up your sneakers.
Try shifting your inner dialogue to focus on the benefits you will gain rather than dwelling on the difficulties. Look at exercise as a privilege and celebrate each workout instead of grumbling through it. Monitoring your self-talk is the first step to curating a motivation-boosting attitude.
Attitude Affects Consistency
Along with motivation, consistency is required to see results from any fitness regimen. Working out sporadically will not get you very far. Maintaining a regular schedule of exercise relies heavily on your attitude.
Those who view training as a hassle will find endless excuses to skip workouts. Life happens, and some days you may need to reschedule a session due to outside circumstances. However, someone with a negative attitude is more likely to rationalize skipping “just this once” which turns into skipping altogether.
For example, let’s say you plan to strength train on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week. Wednesday comes and you are feeling sore and sluggish. With a negative attitude, you’ll tell yourself “I’m too sore today, I’ll just train twice next week.” This skips day easily snowballs into “I’m too busy this week, I’ll restart my schedule next Monday.” Pretty soon you have fallen completely off the wagon due to justified rationalizations.
However, with an optimistic can-do attitude, you’ll be determined to stick to your regimen no matter what. Instead of seeing soreness or a busy schedule as an excuse, you’ll get creative to make it happen, even modifying the workout to what you can manage that day. This attitude breeds consistency which is required for results.
Attitude Impacts Overall Outcomes
Your attitude directly correlates to your overall fitness outcomes. Those who maintain a positive and determined mindset are more likely to achieve their goals. While aptitude for certain exercises can vary based on genetics, proper attitude trumps innate physical talent.
For example, let’s say two people enroll to run a marathon. Person A has the physique of a natural runner and has always been in good shape. Person B is overweight and has never been athletic. Conventional wisdom says Person A will complete the marathon much faster based on their physical conditioning alone.
However, when race day comes Person B ends up clocking a better time and passing Person A. Why? Because Person B trained with relentless positivity and a “never quit” attitude. They viewed setbacks during training as opportunities to improve rather than excuses to give up. Person A coasted on their genetic gifts and became demotivated when training got difficult. At the end of the day, Person B’s superior attitude delivered superior results compared to aptitude alone.
This example illustrates how your mindset is truly the most important muscle to train for success. Do not underestimate the power of positivity. Stay solution-focused in the face of obstacles, be your own cheerleader, and celebrate small victories. This attitude breeds accomplishment.
Tips for Cultivating an Optimal Fitness Attitude
Adjusting your attitude takes conscious effort, self-awareness, and daily practice.
Try implementing these tips:
Set process-based goals: Goals focused on specific actions under your control are better for your attitude than outcome-based goals. For example, rather than setting a goal to lose 30 lbs, set a goal to stick to your meal plan and workout schedule this week. Fulfilling process goals boosts your confidence.
Temper expectations: Be realistic about changes to your body or abilities. Small gradual progress is more likely than rapid transformation. Focus on enjoying the process rather than demanding perfection.
Highlight benefits: Remind yourself regularly why you are choosing to workout. Generate a list of concrete benefits like “I’ll have more energy to play with my kids” or “I’ll lower my risk for diabetes.” Read this list before workouts when motivation is lagging.
Track progress: Aim to exercise consistently for a month before evaluating results. Take monthly photos, measurements, and fitness assessments. Concrete progress will reinforce your positivity.
Allow flex days: Schedule periodic off days from exercise to recover physically and mentally. Listen to your body. Forcing yourself through workouts when exhausted or hurting can breed resentment.
Recruit a community: Surround yourself with like-minded individuals or join a class. Shared experience helps uplift your attitude when alone time gets challenging.
Focus on facts: Counter thoughts like “I’m too weak” or “I’ll never improve” with factual evidence from your progress. Avoid exaggerated or unrealistic thinking.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cultivating an optimal attitude sets the stage for fitness success. View exercise as an opportunity for growth, not a chore. Stay solution-focused when encountering roadblocks. Your mindset fuels motivation, consistency, and ultimately results. Aim for gradual progress through a process-based approach. Monitor self-talk and recruit support when needed. With the right attitude, you can achieve any fitness goal you set. Fitness is a journey, focus on enjoying the process!
FAQs
Q: What are some signs of a negative fitness attitude?
A: Indicators of a negative attitude include always skipping workouts, dreading exercise, avoiding trying new activities, giving up easily, excessively complaining about workouts, and not tracking your progress.
Q: How long does it take to change your attitude?
A: Adjusting your mindset is a gradual process, but you can begin shifting your self-talk immediately. With consistent effort, most people see tangible improvements in their attitude within 2-3 weeks.
Q: Can you be successful in fitness with a bad attitude?
A: It is unlikely you will achieve meaningful fitness goals with an overwhelmingly negative attitude. Certain genetic gifts may compensate in the short term, but a perpetually bad attitude reduces the motivation and consistency needed for significant progress.
Q: What should you do if your bad attitude is due to lack of results?
A: Re-evaluate your regimen to ensure you are training effectively for your goals. Get bloodwork to check for deficiencies or illnesses impairing progress. Add variety to workouts if boredom is breeding resentment. Set smaller milestones to celebrate wins more frequently.
Q: How can your fitness community improve your attitude?
A: Working out alongside positive and supportive people breeds encouragement through shared struggles and tips. Their optimism rubs off on you. Plus a team mentality makes it harder to justify skipping.
