When
an elephant is being domesticated, in order to be a beast of burden, it
is trained to believe that it cannot escape. First, the elephant is
tied to a tree with a chain. It tries and tries to break free,
struggling against the strength of the chain. Unable to break free, the
elephant gives up.
The
trainer then replaces the chain with a rope. Discouraged from its lack
of success against the chain and still feeling a tug on its leg, the
elephant only halfheartedly attempts to free itself from the rope. Again
success is far off and the elephant gives up.
Finally,
the elephant is tethered by the fragile reed of a lotus flower. Feeling
the tug on its leg and recalling its past failures; the elephant
believes it cannot escape and so doesn't even try. Even though an
elephant can move tremendous amounts of weight, it has lost its belief
that it can surmount the tether holding it in captivity. All because it
was trained and taught to accept its failure against the chain as the
ONLY truth.
Many
people trying to lose weight are just like the elephant. Having
attempted to lose weight several times unsuccessfully they succumb to a
belief that they just can't do it. Even though they will begin a new
fitness program, say for new years or some momentous event like a class
reunion, their past attempts and failures sit in their subconscious
telling them, "You can't succeed at this." Subconsciously they sabotage
their results and, in effect, prove themselves to be right. How can this
cycle be broken and how can new beliefs be developed?
The
first step is to changing our beliefs are to know what they are and
where they came from. In order to really root out the cause, I believe
it is necessary to start at the beginning; the adolescent years. Think
back to your earliest childhood memories that involved sports,
athletics, even recess and P.E. What do you remember being told or what
were your feelings about them? What about body image, when did you
become body-conscious and what surrounded that? How did it come about?
As
children we begin to filter our world through what other people tell
us. If you learned early that girls aren't supposed to be athletic or
when you attempted a sport and were ridiculed for being clumsy or
uncoordinated, then you began to set those as your beliefs.The more
those beliefs were reinforced by others, adults in your life or by your
peers, the more you began to believe it to be true in your heart.
To
heal this and be able to create new beliefs it is important to realize
that your were just a child. Your body was still developing and learning
sports is a skill, one that is developed over time. It's also necessary
to realize you were taught some else's beliefs. By recognizing these
two things you open your heart to developing new beliefs that serve you.
To
develop proficiency at anything, including exercise, it is necessary to
practice. I believe exercise is a practiced art, much like martial
arts. It takes time and discipline. Having the belief that you can learn
it and become good at it is necessary, especially the longer you do it.
A key to success is changing up your programming. When you do this and
you begin a new program, you will often feel like a beginner again. At
those times its good to know you can and will get better.
Let
me share a personal story about when I learned this priceless
principle. It all started in the 3rd grade when I began playing league
basketball. I was tall, lanky, and uncoordinated. In fact, my lack of
coordination was why my parents signed me up for basketball in the first
place. I get to enjoy those moments from time to time because I played
at a time when video cameras were a new thing, and my parents had one
(it was a big one that you actually had to carry the VCR with you.) My
parents recorded me at one of my games and I spent more time pulling up
my socks than anything else. I couldn't dribble the ball and forget
about shooting.
But
I did do something right. I kept going to PRACTICE. By continuously
practicing those skills I improved. So much so that in 6th grade I was
invited to the "Screaming Eagles" basketball camp in California a year
earlier than the youngest registration allowed. I was also the team
captain of the basketball team in 7th and 8th grade.
Exercise
and fitness is a practiced art. I have never met anyone that
"naturally" knew how to add muscle or drop body fat. It was always done
through trial and error, perseverance, and practice. Learning the skills
needed for their body to reach the goals they set. By continuing,
setting small attainable goals and through reaching those goals you
develop a new belief in yourself.
Those
in our past are not the only culprits in developing our beliefs. There
is a much greater threat and it comes from a trusted source. Look for my
next article to see who the wolf in sheep's clothing is.
Dave
Smith has been a fitness coach and movement specialist since 1998. His
personal experience with 3 low back surgeries combined with his intense
desire to help others, brings a unique style to his teaching. The basis
of his teaching is to educate and empower others in taking control of
their personal fitness.
"Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime."- Chinese Proverb
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