Mind over matter

Here`s the thing about the phrase “mind over matter” you must remember – it`s true. This is the thought that crossed my mind during our Mini-Challenge step class yesterday on a freezing Saturday morning.  46 of our members pitched at the studio and on Zoom, and it was amazing to witness that not even the extreme cold could put a damper on everyone`s enthusiasm!

But, on Saturday, the “mind over matter” thing was about much more than braving the cold.  “Alleviating condensation” – that`s the fancy scientific name for drops of water leaking from the tin roof of our studio after a night of extreme frost.  We`ve become quite used to the phenomenon, but, on Saturday morning, when the first heavy drop landed right on my head, I realized it was going to be mind over matter for 45 minutes.  We were recording the class for our YouTube channel, and there was nowhere I could move.

In fact, the studio was so packed, that I`m sure there were quite a few members who had to endure the dripping too, and yet, everyone was cool and composed and smiling and cheering.

“Mind over matter represents the triumph of will over physical hindrance.  Our thoughts are our weapon against the world”, writes David Adam in “The man who couldn`t stop.”  Now, wait.  Don`t get me wrong.  I`m not talking positive psychology crap today simply saying that if you believe something it will happen.

I`m saying mind over matter…well…matters, because what you can actually do, is often exponentially larger than what your mind thinks you can do.  Your mind just gets you in the game.  You got to work hard to still win the game.  But mind over matter is the engine that drives you to the opportunity for success.

It comes down to willpower in a strong sense – obeying your 4.30 alarm instead of sleeping in, choosing a salad over fries, and choosing to go to gym instead of watching Netflix. I`m sure you`ve heard the phrase – your willpower is like a muscle. The more you work it, the stronger it gets.

I have seen a lot of minds over matter during the first four weeks of our Winter Challenge – how our members have put their minds to sticking to their workout routines, counting calories, deciding to take on new classes, even if they didn`t get it right the first time.  I think the key really lies in their state of mind – they are more focused on what they want, rather than on what`s holding them back! 

Bruce Grierson, a social science writer wrote about this in his book “What makes Olga run?” in 1911.  He was intrigued by the amazing story of Olga Kotelko, who at 91, was still participating in track and field athletics.  What he found out was that Kotelko simply did not believe she needed to slow down.  In her own words, she explained to Grierson that she was not interested in living a long life but rather living the life she had…

“Changing your attitude makes you fitter, slimmer, less stressed and younger, says David Robson in a “Mind over matter” article in “New Scientist”magazine.  Sound a bit new-agey?  No, apparently this statement is supported by research.

Robson explains how they used data from health surveys monitoring more than 60 000 people for up to 21 years.  Conclusive evidence was found that those, who were more pessimistic about their exercise, were 71% more likely to die during the course of the survey than those who were happy with their exercise routines.

Boy, oh boy, now you`ll understand why it`s so important to me to keep my members happy…!  (*If you are part of our Challenge, WhatsApp the phrase “this week it`s mind over matter for me and my willpower” to Mirna before 20:00 tonight). 

On a serious note, Robson`s research proves that our minds aren`t just passive observers, they are actually influencing reality.  It`s a bit like wearing tinted glasses – the whole world is coloured by the lens through which you look.

Knowing this, what mindset shifts can we make to influence our minds for the better?

We can be grateful, on purpose.  Remember Melody Beattie`s words from a previous Blog?  “Gratitude turns what we have into enough and more.”

We can constantly challenge our assumptions.  Breathe deeper.  Monitor our posture.  And monitor our self-talk.  We can notice excessive self-criticism and remind ourselves that words like “never, worst, and not enough” are only thoughts, not facts.

We can also remind ourselves that “mind over matter” is often about recognizing obstacles and challenges and mentally preparing ourselves to deal with it.  Just accept that “it” is there and will be a burden you will carry as you pursue your goal.  In other words, you will quickly discover you need to accept a sense of being uncomfortable, like those irritating, cold drops on my head during our class Saturday.

But hey, look at these faces, I bet you wouldn`t even know there was something bothering us if I didn`t tell you!

Today I would like to leave you with this beautiful poem by Charles Swindoll:

ATTITUDE

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.  It is more important than the past, than education, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people say, think or do.  It is more important than appearances, age, giftedness or skill.

It will make or break a company…a church…a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past…we cannot change that people will act in a certain way…We cannot change the inevitable.

The only thing we can do is play the one string we have, and that is our attitude.

And I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

And so it is with you.”

Yours in fitness

Mirna

082 779 0507