Saturday, March 24, 2007
Mental Motivation And Goal Setting For Effective Workout
Would you like to know how you can get the most out of your exercise time and then make your workouts as effective for your mind as for your body?
Do you know that you can actually maximize your performance and time in exercising with just proper motivation and goal setting? This technique has been used by sports psychologists for so many years, and they are successful in achieving ultimate physical performance. Thankfully, this is no longer limited to athletes alone. You too can practice this strategy, depending on the fitness exercise you are adopting. You can best focus on every effort for every routine through mental preparation. This is further achieved using goal setting that is process oriented, visualization, relaxation, and other mental techniques.
Association is the term used for total concentration or mental focus. Health gains from strength and muscular exercises are attained through focusing your attention on the movement of your arms and muscles such as your biceps. This technique is also used in martial arts, in adopting a new form of exercise, and in enhancing particular skills in coordination. It is also significant for team activities.
The exact opposite of association is known as disassociation. It is characterized by diverting your full attention from your physical body as well as to the work being performed. For example, it is obvious that constant repetition of exercises can cause stress, body discomfort, and sometimes fatigue. But if the disassociation technique is used, it is likely that he can perform exercises at a much longer time because his minds attention is focused away from these ill feelings. Thus, he can further improve his performance. Other forms of disassociation strategies are using music and vocal suggestions.
To maximize your ability to execute a certain exercise, it is better to practice the concept called going with the flow. It entails full but relaxed concentration on your every execution. You practically immerse yourself—mind, body, and spirit—to the current activity. The only time that you can perhaps perform truly well is when you are free from all worries and other concerns that can affect your execution. When you become focused on what you are doing, it will eventually remove all the doubts you have about whether you are excelling in your activity.
For some performance techniques you can apply either at the start or at the end of the workout, here are some of the following: Somehow, there is a direct correlation between your mind and your body. This relationship is called visualization. Experts believe that when you think of positive thoughts and picture good images, it will assist your body in the same way too. So before exercise, perhaps you can think of how you’d feel or even look while your doing your workout.
On the other hand, you can also do the visualization technique after your workout, which is also the perfect time to concentrate on your inner self. Visualizing that you have achieved your purpose in performing the exercise will help you feel refreshed and calm. Do you know that you can feed your mind with almost anything? You have the power to self-talk and provide affirmation to yourself. This way, you can encourage yourself to get through the routines and develop self-esteem.
Another technique known as the guided muscle relaxation involves lying in a flat surface, then breathing deeply. This will give you focus more on the abdominal breathing. This procedure, in return, will enhance your performance and is a good predecessor for other various mental exercises.
All of us are born with inherent good qualities, but many do not believe so, and it is this negative thinking that can prepare you to absolute failure. But if you try to downplay your weakness with your strengths and admitting that you have the power to eventually conquer almost anything, then certainly, your body, mind, and spirit will help you through it.
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