To Lose Fat, Think of Yourself As An Athlete
If you don’t think of yourself as an athlete or athletic, I urge you to get over that. Especially if you have ever used that as an excuse to not exercise or avoid moving your body. Like, declining to take part in recreational games, dancing, or any kind of exercise or movement, because you believe you are not athletic.
If you’re like that, from now on I want you to think of yourself as an athlete. Because you are.
You are an athlete and I encourage you to treat yourself like an athlete. And that means getting regular physical exercise. Dedicated athletes never miss their workouts, their practice.
Taking this approach will change your life. It is also one of the most effective fat loss techniques I know of.
I have gotten remarkable results from thinking of myself as an athlete, and treating myself that way. This works spectacularly for me. I never miss my daily exercise, never.
It helps to understand what an athlete is: somebody who has the necessary abilities to participate in physical exercise, especially in competitive situations such as games, races, and matches.
Open your mind as you read that definition again. Notice “somebody who has the necessary abilities to participate in physical exercise.” That is everyone, including people who are in wheelchairs, and the amputees and other folks who climb mountains, play tennis, snow ski, participate in track and field, play basketball, water ski and every other sport.
Can you wiggle your thumb?
A person who is paralyzed and can only wiggle their left thumb is participating in physical exercise when they wiggle their thumb. That person is an athlete. And so are you, whatever your physical shape or athletic ability.
The second half of the definition is where people get hung up, “especially in competitive situations such as games, races, and matches.”
That’s what an athlete is, people believe. Hogwash. That’s a very narrow, limiting definition. A person who runs for the pleasure of it and doesn’t participate in races is no less an athlete than those who race. Same with a bicyclist, archer, weight lifter, horseback rider, or anyone who does not compete. They are athletes. Not “sort of” athletes. They are athletes, and so are you.
No matter what you do or how you do it, if you move in any way, you are an athlete.
The final hang up to rid yourself of is saying things like, okay, but I am not very good at it. Good compared to who or what? Stop judging yourself and instead just enjoy. Do not buy into the absurd nonsense of comparing yourself to anyone else athletically.
You are an athlete. And athletes get daily exercise, in whatever way they enjoy. Do the same and you will lose fat and get fit healthfully, permanently.
