Are there things about yourself that you would like to change? Your weight, your habits, or maybe even your outlook on life? We are trained to think that change is hard, that it takes time. But it really doesn’t have to be that way.
I’m here to argue that lasting change happens in an instant.
I understand that this goes against mainstream belief. Most people believe that change has to be a struggle. We expect to try and fail numerous times before ultimately giving up or succeeding. Think about this – how many people do you know who struggle with their weight? They want to make a healthy change by getting in shape, but the change never seems to happen.
What is it in your life that you want to change? Do you have inches to lose? Do you have preventable diabetes? Do you have a pair of skinny jeans that you want to fit into? What is keeping you from making this change in your life?
According to professional speaker and author, Tony Robbins, it’s the preparation for change that takes time. In the end there’s a single instant when the change occurs.
Here are the 3 steps to instantly create a lasting change and a new you:
Step #1: Believe that something must change.
Do you sort of want to get into shape, or do you absolutely have to lose the weight? Does dropping a few pounds sound good, or is living another day in your current body simply unbearable? In order to make a lasting change you must believe wholeheartedly that things must change.
Step #2: Believe that you must change it.
It is vital that you take full responsibility in making the change rather than assigning responsibility elsewhere. Sure, others may help you, but in the end you are the one who is going to make it happen. You have to want this change enough to make it your personal mission – no one else can do it for you.
Step #3: Believe that you can change it.
Don’t let past failures get you down. The truth is that you are capable of amazing things when you put your mind to it. Believe that you are able to lose weight or to make any other positive change in your life.
Why do most people fail to make change stick? They rely on willpower. This works for a while, but you’ll soon revert back to what’s comfortable. The solution?
Change what you are comfortable with.
Two things motivate People: 1) to avoid pain and 2) to gain pleasure. When you want to change a behavior pattern the key is to associate pain with the behavior that you don’t want and pleasure with the behavior that you do want.
You know that you want to lose weight and that to do so you need to quit eating comfort food late at night. You also know that you need to start exercising on a regular basis. Up until this point your brain is trained to associate pleasure with eating comfort food late at night and to associate pain with exercise.
It’s time to retrain your brain to feel good about exercise and to feel bad about eating late at night. Think about all of the negative things about being overweight and connect these unpleasant thoughts to your late night snack. Now think about all of the wonderful things about being in shape and connect these pleasant thoughts to healthy nutrition & exercise.
You are capable of making big changes in your life. Remember, change happens in an instant.
Brien Shamp brings you 22 years of experience as a Body Transformation Expert, Personal Trainer, Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach, Massage Therapist, Strength Coach for College & Pro Athletes and Reiki Practitioner. In 2011 he was nominated one of the top ten trainers in the country. Brien has a degree in Biomechanics from UC Davis and extensive graduate studies in Exercise Physiology from SF State. Brien won first place in the Met-Rx World's Best Personal Trainer Contest in 1999 and was nominated Best in the Bay by KRON 4 for Weight Loss in 2009. He is an active author in Parenting on the Peninsula, Ms. Fitness Magazine and his FREE Blog with thousands of subscribers at www.BrienShamp.com
