Fitness

How Do Olympic Athletes Train for Gold…and what does that have to do with YOU?

It is that time again..the winter Olympics are about to begin.  I have been thinking about what these athletes have to do to prepare for their competition and what we can learn from this.  Does it seem like night and day, comparing ourselves in any way to an Olympic athlete?  Well, it really isn’t that far-fetched.

Olympic athletes (or Super Bowl athletes, for that matter) spend an inordinate amount of time preparing for their big day, both physically and mentally.  The physical part is huge, don’t get me wrong, but the mental (or psychological) part is even “huger”!

If the physical training is a full-time job, then the mental training is an “all-the-time job”.

Ok, so we all are aware of what it
takes to be a superb athlete, but what does it take to be a superb “you”?

 

How about…….A commitment to do the work that it takes, constant practice and repetition, huge motivation to get out there day after day, laser sharp focus, and an attitude of doing their best?I know what you are thinking….if we could do that, we would all be millionaires or hugely successful or how about just plain old fulfilled and enriched human beings?Regarding your health and fitness goals, put some thought into what they are.  This can apply to exercise, weight loss, better nutrition, and….

  • make the commitment to them,
  • practice and repeat (build the habit–long-term),
  • do whatever it takes to stay motivated (find a workout partner, schedule workouts and/or events on your calendar, try something new),
  • focus on the end goal, but also on enjoying all of the steps along the way (practice mindfulness),
  • check your attitude (the bottom line is that you are doing this for you and you will have ups and downs, but set the intention to keep working at it).