Welcome to another Motivation Monday. One of my favorite workouts is an exercise program called P90X. I’m sure most of you have heard of it since it is the top selling workout program in the US.
I had the pleasure of participating in a conference call with the creator and trainer, Tony Horton. During this discussion one of the participants mentioned that they are always asked how to get the “six pack” abs like Tony. His response was both surprising and inspirational.
Tony said, “focus on Can Do and NOT Look Like.” Perhaps this is easy to say for a man that obviously looks amazing, but he was genuine in wanting people to really focus on what their bodies CAN DO first and not what they LOOK LIKE.
I am taking this to heart each and every day. As women, we get so caught up with body image and what we LOOK LIKE instead of focusing on improving our health and what our bodies CAN DO. Look at the mom pushing that stroller up hill. She is focusing on getting healthy and not worried what she looks like. Not sure if you recognize her, but it’s actually Sheryl Crow. I love it when even celebrities focus more on their children than what they look like for the paparazzi.
Keep this in mind the next time you critisize yourself when you look in the mirror. Be thankful for everything that your body CAN DO and strive to make it better each and every day. Before you know it, you may enjoy what you LOOK LIKE a little more and more each day as well.
Exercising at home means you will no longer have to clean up
after inconsiderate half-wits that can’t be bothered to clean up their own mess. Myth 8: One must lose weight by dieting before starting weight-lifting. Sometimes you can become too thin if you are not careful, so you need to first of all get up to a healthy weight (where your bones are not showing through your skin), and then eat healthily and do plenty of exercise to maintain this healthy and attractive body.
SEE? and Ive been resisting the Horton.
no mo’
He has some good things to say from time to time. He is actually hysterical in person too.
Definitely agree that we do get too caught up in getting that certain “look” and fail to think more about what our bodies can do. Awesome reminder Jenn! Thanks!
That’s a really good positive outlook on it
I have the P90X, but haven’t started it yet.Thinking I am going to start it once my foot gets a little bit better!
It is a great program. Takes commitment since it is 6 days a week, but you will see some amazing improvements in your body and your strength.
I like this..CAN DO. It’s much better to compare yourself to yourself isn’t it?
That is such a great approach. I think way too much of what the things look like – my butt, my moves (grr)
Thanks
When my kids like to hit me in the booty to watch it jiggle, I get a little caught up in “look like” too. Then I tell them to do 20 push-ups. LOL!
I think focusing on goals, rather than visuals, is a great way to stay motivated. Not all bodies are the same!
I love this statement: “Be thankful for everything that your body CAN DO”. My grandfather was the first to say this to me when I was a teenager. I had started my first diet and when he asked me why I said, “Because I want my legs to be thinner” (I’ve always had what can be called “thick legs”. He looked at me and said, “You have two healthy strong legs. Why would you want to trade them in for two thin ones?” That was the moment that changed my mentality toward diet and exercise. From that day forward I started to focus more on making my “thick legs” strong than skinny, which in all reality they never will be.
I love this approach! i need to get my butt into shape!!!
This is a great post. I love the P90x program; it really kicks your butt, in a good way : ) To focus on can do instead of look like is just such great advice. I remember starting to workout and feeling thicker and my weight crept up even though I was working out so hard and faithfully. My trainer told me to focus on how I felt and to just keep going. I felt stronger and so I stuck with it and soon my body just started shrinking and tightening. I’m so thankful that I listened to that advice.
Way to go Jane!
It’s so hard to focus on what you can do, sometimes. What a great pleasure to speak with Tony! Great post!
The “can do” vs. “look like” message is a great one, and perhaps provides more sustainable motivation for many of us. As I get older, I place much more value on “can do.” Thanks for this terrific reminder, Jenn!
Great post! And while I’m not a P90X fan (should I say “yet?” – haven’t tried it…) I think the advice you’ve quoted here is great advice! Focus on “Can Do” is definitely the right place to keep your mind!
And to add a little more, maybe less Can Do and more Can DID!! LOL!!
Love this motivation!!
The cause always has to come before the effect. If you keep thinking about the result you want, without action, then you are just dreaming.
I love the P90X workouts!
Tony has some great saying and this one certainly is among them. I think too often people begin the journey on the wrong mental foot. they see only the body they wantnd get frustrated when that does not quickly appear. but the journey is a bout so much more and when that more becomes the focus then the weight loss and the physique generally become the result and in the end, those results are far superior to a simple weigloss of fitness effort!