Change Your Mind. Change Your Body.

Our thoughts affect everything we do, say, feel, think & believe. Our thoughts construct our reality, shape our view of the world and determine the way we feel about life as a whole. Our happiness level is 100% dependent on the way we think and the perspective that we have. Yet we rarely take the time to recognize what’s going on in our heads.

This is something I’ve been working on over the last 2 years – becoming aware of my inner-dialogue. Pilates is a mind-body form of exercise. I firmly believe that you cannot separate the body from the mind. In fact, I’ve learned that changing the mind is the first step in changing the body. I’ve recently acquired a new awareness for the power of thought and most importantly, how quickly they can lead me down a road I don’t want to go down. Within seconds I can believe things about myself and my life that I would never say out loud or allow anyone else to say about me. Perhaps you can relate. All it takes is one magazine article, one bad experience in a dressing room, or one careless comment by a peer.
The good news is that we have the power to change this process. This one little tiny corner of the world that we CAN control. And it’s imperative that we do. When we don’t take time to sort through our thoughts they become our truths. More often that not, the thoughts that stick as truths are our fears and insecurities. Most of them are a product of the messages we’ve received through others or the media and are worth re-evaluating.
 
Today, I encourage you (and of course myself) to be mindful of  your thoughts. That’s all, don’t take it any further, don’t try to fix it, just begin to notice what’s going on in your head. I think you’ll be surprised by what you find. Try to analyze your thoughts from a third person perspective. When you notice a negative thought say it out loud. Yes, you’ll feel silly, but it will really help to audibly hear the way you’re speaking to yourself.
 
As women, we think a lot of negative thoughts about our bodies and appearance so be especially aware of your inner dialogue while getting dressed, looking in the mirror or eating a meal. However, if you are achievement-driven, you might notice that your thoughts take a negative turn when you’re at work, interacting with colleagues or preparing for a big presentation.
 
Let’s talk about it. When is your negative self-talk most likely to show up?