June 15th, 2016

Word Choice is a Game Changer

Have you ever caught yourself saying "I can't have this...." or "I can't do that..."?  Has a fitness or nutritional program ever made you feel like you live in a rigid box? If so, it might not be the program, or the circumstance, but your word choice. Our word choice directly affects our likelihood of being successful with our goals. Whether that goal is related to fitness, weight loss, or obtaining a new course in life, it is the power of the spoken word that ultimately determines our behavior, habits, and values.

If you start to pay attention to the words you speak, you might notice how your words are directly related to outcome. Outcome is related to our behavior and our behavior creates our habits. If you think about it, YOU CAN DO ANYTHING simply by changing your word choice and mental approach. This is how we craft our values. It's a very freeing process to move from saying "I can't do this..." to "I choose to...." Once you adopt a new way of speaking, following things like a meal plan or exercise program won't be this all or nothing lifestyle. Getting fit, eating right, or striving to change should be full of creativity and self-exploration. It should be about growing into new behaviors, habits, and values. It should be fun, not a chore. It just takes a new mental approach.

I know it can be very hard to adopt a new way of thinking and behaving. If you are not ready for it you might find yourself failing. Failing, by the way, is one method for learning. Take a mistake I made back in 2014 as an example. At that time, I was training for the San Diego Championships and I was living with the mindset that I had to follow my program as written. I felt like I couldn't exchange vegetables, grains or proteins within my diet. I felt like I was living in a box and it caused me great stress and unhappiness. In fact, I ended up hating green beans for a long time after that training program because they were the only vegetable each night. My coach at the time didn't want me to change a thing because it was working, and I failed to ask why not. I failed to see the "yes" in my situation. Now, with more knowledge and understanding of nutrition, I realize that was crazy. That's why I offer my clients options and food exchange charts. I want my clients to know they have choice as they adopt their new lifestyle. There is no need to ever feel like you can't do something; rather, there should always be free will and a feeling of choice in all aspects of life.

It is true that you can do anything you want; however, you also have to be willing to accept the consequence(s) for your choices. For example, if your coach realizes you need to detox certain foods from your system, so that results can start to show, then you should trust that person. If you want to go against their advice that is fine, but be prepared for the consequence. For instance, if you absolutely feel like you have to have a cocktail each night with dinner that's fine, but it might take twice as long to build that lean muscle mass and mental clarity you are after.  If completely letting go of something is not going to happen then you need to communicate that with your coach, so that you can continue functioning with positive word choice, and not feel stuck or resentment toward a program you are trying. Looking back, I wish I had realized that any green veggie would have been fine to have. I probably would have been happier, still reached my goals, and could tolerate green beans better today. 

Also, be open to change.  When you get a program from a coach, remember that they are using their training, the research they have done, and their own personal experiences to help you reach your goals. If they really care about you they will provide you with knowledge, ways to make adjustments, and steps for creating new habits. If you are working with a coach who is all about money then they will let you continue your habits and faulty way of thinking and speaking. With a great coach, you may try things you've never done before-whether food or a method of training. I encourage you to be open to it. You may discover you love the new flavors or approaches to training. Keep your mind open and your words positive. 

Below is one of my most favorite saying from Mahatma Ghandi. I hope it inspires you to change the way you think and speak so that you can achieve your ultimate destiny.