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Chasing Consistency

When I was a chemistry student, I went through Chemistry 101: An Introduction. I don’t remember much about the class but there are a few things that stood out. One was my professor lighting up floating hydrogen soap bubbles- very nice! And THEN lighting the rising soap bubbles filled with oxygen. If anyone was dozing off in class, the explosion from the oxygen bubbles was certain to wake them (and commence a rubbing of the ears). We talked about elements and the periodic chart, but what I remember most was a concept found in what is called “electron configuration”. Electron configuration is a symbolic way of writing each element’s electrons in which orbitals they travel around the nucleus. However tedious and esoteric, electron configuration demonstrated time and time again this principle: if left alone, every electron will choose the lowest energy state.

” A ha!” I thought, “We are actually lazy on a chemical level. No wonder it’s hard to get up and get going some days. My atoms are fighting me!”

This concept has stuck with me into adulthood and bears out when I look for leftovers instead of cooking a meal, watch an extra episode of who knows what because I don’t want to get off the couch and why I wish Calgon commercials were still on TV.

It is this inner desire to be comfortable. To be at the lowest energy state. And, it is an internal conflict greater than most external ones.

Yes, our kids get sick. We get sick. It’s too cold, This family member needed me. My work ran late. Absolutely. These external obstacles are real. And they can definitely set you back and knock out your consistency.

But if we are talking about chasing consistency, a consistency over a lifetime, the internal conflict we face must be addressed.

Let me be clear: You have an internal resistance to setting your body in motion. To exercising. To rising out of your lowest energy state. And it will present itself in the form of thoughts. A voice that will speak to you about why you shouldn’t exercise today.

I have found four main characters who source this internal talk:

The Task Master
The Task Master takes a very logical approach to why you shouldn’t get a workout in today. She lists all the things that you could be doing. And, why it’s even better for you to do them. She also knows that exercising is important to you and so just to make you feel better, she schedules in “Gym” for the beginning of next week. Since it’s a fresh start. She also knows there will be a new set of things to do next week, but will wait until Monday to let you know all about them.

The Martyr
This darker sister to the Task Master will bring about in a subtle way why is it better for you to help someone else than yourself. “Making others a priority shows how much you care about them.” is her mantra. She deceives you into thinking that if you help others, you are rejuvenating yourself. But, the truth is, helping others takes energy OUT of us. It drains us. And if we aren’t already rejuvenated before we help, putting ourselves on the back burner will make us feel even worse.

The Baby
The Baby voice takes on the whiny or belligerent tone of a child and makes itself known if the day has been especially taxing, stressful, and emotionally draining. Typically she only speaks in short sentences and repeated one words such as “I can’t” “I just don’t wanna” “I’m too tired” and “I deserve a treat after today!” You can’t reason with this voice, you can only get its attention and shut it up.

The Drill Sergeant
This voice gets to the point and can sound like family members or anyone who has said a strict word to you. Finding its power in your weakness, it preys on your mind and knows what to say to keep you paralyzed. “You never finish anything.” ” Everyone will stare at you.” “What do you think you’re doing?” are common sentences. Biting words like: “fat”, “failure”, “uncoordinated”, “no good”, “ugly”, “disgusting”, “embarrassment” and “loser” come from this voice with the intention of finding any way to keep you from succeeding. The Drill Sergeant is merciless and down right mean if she needs to be to make her point known.

The GOOD NEWS is that there is a way to combat each of these voices. With TRUTH!

To the Task Master:
“I know I have a lot of things to do today. They will still be there tomorrow. Taking care of myself now will enable me to tackle them with a fresh perspective and more focused energy.”

The Martyr:
“Making myself a priority prepares me to help others even more effectively. I need to recharge so I have something useful to give.”

The Baby:
“I am an adult and in control of my thoughts. I determined to get to the gym today and I will follow through.” Sometimes you have to get it’s attention: “Enough!” or “Stop!” works. Then remind yourself that you control your time and thinking.

The Drill Sergeant:
“I am NOT what you say I am. I am beautiful, strong, and determined. I will persevere and see things through because that’s who I am.”

You CAN battle your internal resistance with these thoughts. It just takes practice using them. Begin using these truths this week when you inner voice attempts to dissuade you from working out or eating healthy. If you’ve never faced your thoughts with truth, it will require some effort at first. But let me encourage you, it gets easier. Just like the muscles of your body, you can train your brain to function with healthy thoughts too. And if you can manage that, you won’t be chasing consistency any longer. You WILL BE consistent.

Keep moving!

Priscilla

Note: As a fitness coach, it is my highest priority to keep my clients motivated and on track despite obstacles, distractions and just human nature. I work hard to determine what motivates each client and how much grace and truth they need to move forward. We all need a supportive environment to maintain healthy lifestyle and habits. If you are searching for that kind of environment, check out what we do here at CrossFit 1088: Hosted by Blue Wave Fit, where our mission is to bring CrossFit to All Ages. http://www.bluewavefitocala.com or email me at: priscilla@bluewavefitocala.com

Priscilla Jones and her husband, Brian, are owners of CrossFit 1088: Hosted by Blue Wave Fit. Their mission is to bring CrossFit to All Ages in Ocala, FL while raising their circus of four children.
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