Why does exercise come naturally to some people, while for others it seems like torture? Many factors come into play, such as childhood experiences (including parental role modelling), physical abilities, self-confidence, habit, motivation, cultural norms, age, body image, and genetics, as well as beliefs and expectations. All of these help shape your attitude (conscious or unconscious) to exercise and physical activity in general. Negative attitudes keep many people in their doing very little space.
Do you have a negative mindset? You do if you are physically able but think that exercise is something you will not be able to do, be embarrassing, too exhausting, or too time-consuming. If you have a more positive mindset, you’re likely to think that exercise not only helps keep you fit and healthy, but also that it’s fun, increases the feel good factor, relieves stress and increases a good body image.
Here are a few research findings on factors that influence people’s exercise mindset:
- Being overweight. Many studies show that overweight or obese people tend to have negative mindset towards exercise, which may be both a cause and result of their weight gain. For instance, a study in china found that larger young women were much more likely to have negative reactions to the idea of exercising than slimmer women of the same age. This was seen in their answers on a questionnaire, as well as on MRI brain scans carried out while looking at images of people exercising and then were asked to imagine themselves performing the same exercises.
- Self-worth. In 2014 Australian researchers looked at the relationship between personality traits, exercise and other health-related habits. The study concluded that people who perceived they had control over their lives were more likely to exercise and take extra steps to ensure a healthy lifestyle compared to people who felt that luck or fate largely dictated their lives.
- Unconscious attitudes. A study in 2010 from Penn State University found that students who had positive unconscious attitudes about physical activity were more active over the course of a week They were shown to be more active in general, having a positive attitude increased daily activities, such as using stairs instead of the elevator, taking the first available parking spot rather than hunting for one closer to the destination, and just being more active.
What Is Your Attitude?
If you are largely or totally inactive, you can benefit from an honest self-appraisal of your exercise mindset. Changing negative feelings, beliefs, and habits regarding exercise is hard and takes practice, but never impossible. Modern life, with all its hi tech devices, can make it more enjoyable and motivational to be more active. It’s important to keep reminding yourself that humans are designed to be active.
Working with a coach or trainer and a fitness partner is a great motivator. Practicing positive mindset techniques daily can really change your outlook to life. But the best way to start making that positive change is to stop thinking and start doing.
