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Sports Psychology simply put, refers to gearing our minds up for the task! To make the most of our exercise program, to stay motivated during our workout and to achieve our goals, we need more than getting to the gym (at least some of the time it does, since we're not striving for perfection!). When we apply our mind, we not only train our brain to focus on the task at hand, but we get a lot more out of it physically too. We've all heard about the mind-body connection, so here are a few tips to gear up for a great exercise session for us non-professional athletes. Let's Make a Plan. Making a plan or goal before we hit the gym will more likely help us to focus once we're there. This is similar to what psychologists call "priming". Of course, once we're feeling great during our exercise session, we can always do more than our set goal! Focus. Focus is "directed attention" to a specific task. I love chatting with my friends at the gym, but I try to make it a quick hello until I'm done. Focus also means that we stay in the moment (leave work and all else behind). Focusing will likely help our workout, and refresh us for the stressors we will face when we head back to work or life after our workout. Make it a Mind- Body Connection. When we focus on our exercise form, focus on the muscles we're using, and watch ourselves in the mirror, we not only make an exercise more effective, but more interesting. Working a particular body part? Focus on that area of the body by squeezing, while relaxing other areas. Self -Talk. Let's become our own coach! Do we Feel like quitting our exercise session a little sooner? Let's practice self -talk like an athlete. I usually tell myself "okay June, do just another 5 minutes and then quit if you still feel like it" or "do just one more exercise June, then quit". Many times, this helps me past my unmotivated phase. I also try then to shift my thoughts from the time left to the task at hand! Imagine it and Make it Happen! Research has shown that imagery can be a powerful motivator. Research has also shown that when we believe we can accomplish something, we are more likely to accomplish it! Imagine getting ready to exercise, going through the routine, finishing, and feeling a sense of accomplishment. Let's imagine getting closer to our goals. Athletes go through years practicing many of the above techniques and more. We may not be athletes, but we can practice some of these to motivate, maximize and enjoy our exercise programs. And of course this may help us to reach our goals too! Here's to "Gearing up, for Exercise that is! June www.junefit.com Posted now "Crusted Salmon Loaf on a bed of Mesclun" under my recipe page. Google "Fitness Tips" , and find that Junefit ranks in the top ten at Google's search out of over 50 million results! Junefit is included in Google's top ranked women's health resources http://directory.google.com/Top/Health/Women's_Health/Resources/ June is Lifestyle Editor at www.healthnewsdigest.com/ Want to recommend my weekly tips to friends, relatives and anyone interested in improving their health & fitness, e mail me at june@junefit.com Changing your e- mail address? Please simply reply to this email with your old address and new address. copyright 2007, junefit. All rights reserved. www.HealthNewsDigest.com Top of Page 
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