Posted: December 23, 2004

Health and Fitness: Fitness is a Matter of 'Being' not 'Doing'

By Jayne Osbourn (A HREF="http://fitnesstopia.com" target="_news">fitnesstopia.com)

There is difference between "being" and "doing," and the contrast separates people who are lean and healthy from those who would like to be. The distinction is one of those subtleties that make all the difference in the world.

Next time you're in a public place such as the mall or the library, look around. You'll get a sense of the cultural priority placed on fitness. You'll see that being fit is a matter of choice for the most part. Almost anyone you might venture to ask would tell you that they'd choose to be fit. The logical next step would then be to take action toward fitness, right? Actually, no. Most people think so. They think fitness is a matter of 'doing' something, rather than a state of 'being,' which is why many people start working toward getting fit and find themselves giving up. That's because 'doing' is a struggle, and people naturally get tired of struggling. The good news is that there is another way to see the process.

The common way of thinking is that first I must DO something and then I can HAVE something, which will allow me to BE something. Like this: Set fitness goals and workout 5 times a week at the gym [doing] so that I can lose a few pounds for a better figure [having], and then I'll feel attractive and healthy [being]. Now, what if the order were reversed? Shift out of the do-have-be progression, and lots of things in life get easier.

What are the qualities or characteristics that you've noticed in people who are authentically fit? They are focused, skilled, flexible, fun, motivated, self-approving, creative. Notice these traits in yourself, in all areas of your life. Pay attention to them. In the mornings, instead of asking, what must I DO today, ask how can I BE those characteristics. How am I going to be focused today? How am I going to be enthusiastic today? How am I going to be flexible today? The energetic response that people have when they focus on 'being' is very different than when they feel they must 'do' something.

As you're reading, it might be going through your mind, "But really, I'm not very creative." If that is the quality of thought you have, the message you keep telling yourself (self-talk), then what happens is you feel you have to DO something to get creative. Your vision is what creates the action, so if you have a vision of yourself as not being very creative, your action is going to match that vision. However, if you can start to see yourself as being creative - even if it's in small ways at first - that's going to change your actions. You're going to start to be creative in other areas too, because once you see yourself as being creative, the actions match - the doing is a very natural response.

Shift the focus of your attention. Replace the self-talk that focuses on your shortcomings. Pay attention to what you want more of. Choose a quality of people who are authentically fit. Let's take dedication for example. Look at yourself and ask, "What are the ways I am good at being dedicated?" When people are always giving their attention to how they fall short, what they get is more falling short. It's a cycle.

Eat the right things, get plenty of exercise and rest, etc. These are the things we know we need to DO to be fit. But unless 'doing' these things is the natural response of who we are, the moment we stop thinking of 'doing' them or 'doing' them isn't fun anymore, we stop. We resist and struggle because we are overwhelmed. So first, see yourself differently. No more images and self-talk about being fat or unfit. The people who actually make it and enjoy a life of fitness are the ones who have shifted how they see themselves. See yourself right now as being committed to health, as being beautiful and attractive. Your vision creates your reality.

Jayne Osbourn is a contributing author to News from Fitness Topia, the leading resource for fitness information.