Boost Your Fitness Confidence!

If building the body of your dreams sounds intimidating, your mindset may be the first place you need to shape up. In Oxygen’s Fat Loss special issue, we answered your questions and provided you with strategies for applying your mind to your muscles.

And here’s one we’ve saved for you. It’s one of our most commonly asked questions!

Q: Whenever I start a new workout or exercise, I automatically think: “I can’t do this.” How do I stop? – Sarah, via email

The Expert: Blair Whitmarsh, PhD, dean of human kinetics and athletics at Trinity Western University in Langley, British Columbia, Canada.

Your Plan: Success breeds success. Self-efficacy (sometimes called self-confidence) comes most critically from personal accomplishments. In a new workout situation, reflect on times when you’ve been successful in other activities, and use that as a strong indicator of future success.

Quick Tip: Make a list of your past successes and keep it with you in your gym bag or workout journal, so that you can refer to it when you need it. Add to it whenever you overcome an obstacle or challenge, even if it’s not fitness-related.

Quick Tip: Write down your plan for what you will do when you have a slip-up (skipping a workout or veering from your clean diet), and have it at the ready.