Keeping your New Year's resolution is all in your mind…

edited by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady

The New Year started off on the right foot.  You started eating healthy, you jump-started your workout and you've joined that Pilates/Yoga/Aerobics class despite of your hectic schedule. But now that you look in front of the mirror-you see, well, more of the same.  We all want our hard work and hours put into the gym to pay off, so why doesn't our body look any better?  James Villepigue, author of Mind Over Muscle (Hatherleigh Press) says not to quit your fitness goals just yet.  The mind can play a huge factor in our workout results.  Without the mind any attempt to improve, condition, tone and slim the body will falter.

If thinking can affect muscle, than the power of thought techniques can affect the results we get at the gym.  As James Villepigue suggests, “Leaving the mind out of the fitness equation is like leaving a vital ingredient out of your favorite recipes.  You may see results, but the finished dish just won't taste quite right.  Here are some things to keep in mind:

·Relax:  the ability to voluntarily relax is the first step to controlling your mind, and body.  Relaxation allows the appropriate part of the brain to perform some of the complex skills without interference. 

·Breathe:  Breathing is without question, one of your best tools when it comes to increasing athletic performance, mood, mindset, health and yes, even the look of your physique.

·Intention and Attitude:  Decide what you intend to get from exercising.  Verbalize your intention and visualize it- whether you want rock-hard abs or to emulate your favorite actor.  Always think of the end result.

·Believe:  Believing is seeing results.  Don't give up because you look like your old self one day and don't look like a Greek god or goddess the next.  If you believe, changes will happen.

The road to perfection isn't easy and you might feel like throwing in the towel now and then.  But if you remain focused on the goals in mind and how you will feel afterwards, you'll start seeing better results.  So before you decide to quit your New Year's resolution, why not use the power of your mind to entice your body to lift one more weight, run one more step on the path to beauty and physical fitness.

Mind Over Muscle

James Villepigue

List Price: $17.95

Hatherleigh Press

ISBN: 978-1-57826-233-6  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Author of the best-selling The Body Sculpting Bible series,  James Villepigue has over 16 years of certified experience in the health and fitness industry as a nationally certified personal trainer with the American Council on Exercise and the International Sports Science Association.  He has received a degree from the New York College of Health Professions and the Institute for Professional Empowerment Coaching.  He has been featured in nationally recognized health and fitness magazines such as: 'Fitness', 'Women's World', 'Oxygen', 'Marie Claire', 'Cosmopolitan', and 'Muscle-Mag International'.  He has also appeared on national and local television including 'Good Day New York', NBC, Fox, ABC and The WB.  He lives in Oyster Bay, New York.