The Power of Positivity

"Positive thinking is a mental attitude that admits into the mind thoughts, words and images that are conductive to growth, expansion and success. It is a mental attitude that expects good and favourable results. A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action.Whatever the mind expects, it finds."                                                  

Remez Sasson,The Power of Positive Thinking

Not so long ago I realised, although  I hated to admit it, but I can be a bit of negative nancy. This was first brought to my attention by dear mum who, when listening to me rant about my life, interrupted saying; "Do you realise how often you say 'I can't' ?"

Whenever I have read interviews or autobiographies by any successful individual, be it in business, love or life generally, one thing they all say is you have to have self-belief and learn to turn negatives into positives.

Last weekend in Cornwall when running along the coastal path from St.Agnes to Wheal Coates; I allowed my mind to wonder about the sheer mass of the task I am undertaking and about the challenge that is Tough Mudder. The negative voices began creeping in; "you'll never do it, there's no way your going to be fit enough".

I read a book once by Paolo Coelho called By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept, in which he spoke of this voice as "the other" and if we are ever going to achieve our true potential we must banish it from our mind.

A friend once told me that you need to paint the picture of what you want in your mind, or on paper if it helps. Imagine how it will feel to be there and every detail of how it will be. As for the negative thoughts; every time they arise make a concious effort to replace them with a positive thought and in my case stop saying I can't. I need to stop making excuses and get on with it.

As Richard Branson said; Screw it, Let's do it. Or Dr. Pepper; What's the worse that can happen?

Summer Loving

The sun has finally come out! And what a difference it makes...

For me as with most people my mood completely lifts when the sun shines and I feel warm, everything seems a little bit more achievable, everybody seems to have a fresh vigour for life. Of course; it also reminds us that bikini season is almost upon us. 

So let's take advantage of this new energy we have for life, get outside and get in shape!

Here are my top 5 reasons to get outside:

1. It's a Mood Lifter! I guarantee that no matter how a bad a mood you may be in; if you take your workout outside it will put everything in perspective. Being out in nature makes me feel empowered.

2. An outdoor workout mixes it up. Often when we workout in a gym environment we can get stuck in a routine; when you take your workout outside it opens up a whole new playground which can change on a daily basis. Take a run off road for a stamina challenge, jump on and off of obstacles, do the monkey bars, climb some cliffs, swim in the sea. Not only will you challenge your body in new, different ways, it's enjoyable and time will fly!

3. Fresh air is good for you! Fresh air cleans our lungs; allowing us to breathe deeper and therefore take in more oxygen. Increased oxygen gives us more energy as well as reducing the build up of lactic acid and an increase in stamina. Our brains also use up 20% of the oxygen we take in so by increasing the amount of oxygen we take in allows our brains to function better and with greater clarity. So if you need to resolve a problem; get out for a walk or run!

4. The power of the Sun. For anyone who has ever suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) you will know just how important getting that dose of sunshine can be! Our body can also synthesize Vitamin D from cholesterol with adequate amounts of sunshine; Vitamin D is responsible for the intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate.

5. Get socialising :)  There are lots of exercises and activities that you take outside that can be super sociable such as team sports; boot camps, run clubs and climbing trips. Getting outside and socialising with like-minded, positive people can make you feel better about yourself on the inside and out. Remember health is not just physical; it's mental too!