Change Your Way of Thinking for a Healthier Life
02 Jan 2010 Leave a Comment
in Exercise, Inspiration
Several years ago I spent about 6 months working for a popular health club while living in Atlanta. I was a ‘membership sales consultant’. It was a fun job and I met a lot of interesting people. I loved the opportunity of helping people get started on the road to being healthier. On top of that, I learned a lot about customer service, sales and marketing.
This j-o-b opportunity was during a time in my life after being laid off. I was spending about 3 hours a day in the gym while trying to figure out my next career move. Yes, I was in there for 3 hours because the club was awesome and there was so much to see and do! It was a huge club with a racquetball court, swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, basketball court, cardio room, an awesome weight room plus more. I was in heaven!
Well, since I was working out in the gym so much, after a while people started asking me if I was a personal trainer. It was a fabulous compliment! So, I figured why not get a job in this place and make some cash since I’m in here everyday.
I remember one day a man came in for membership information. It was a weekday, around lunch time. He was in his late 30′s, a little overweight, wearing a business suit and looked like he was mad at the world. I don’t remember his name, but let’s call him ‘Charles’.
Anyway, I was the only female on the sales team and none of the guys wanted to help Charles. I went up to greet him and proceeded to take him on a tour of our wonderful facility. I showed him around, told him about all our fabulous amenities and went over the benefits of working out on various machines.
Well, about three-quarters into the tour I stopped my presentation, with my hands on my hips, I said ”excuse me Charles…but I need to ask you a question” He looked a little startled and I asked him why was he here? I explained that it was obvious by his attitude and demeanor that he didn’t want to be here, he wasn’t hearing a word I was saying and looked pissed off at the world. His response was, “actually, no, I don’t want to be here! I just left my doctor’s office and he told me that I needed to start exercising or I would be looking at an early grave!”
How many people wait until they get a bad doctor’s report telling them to change their lifestyle or else? The problem is, we shouldn’t have to wait for a diagnosis to make healthier lifestyle choices. Obviously, Charles wasn’t in the mood to make any changes and wasn’t too happy about his doctor’s report. Honestly, I don’t think he liked being told ‘change your habits or else’.
The process of making healthier lifestyle changes will be much easier and more effective when you are NOT in denial. In my opinion, the first step towards making healthy lifestyle changes is to evaluate your current lifestyles habits and make a commitment to yourself to be your best and healthiest self. Accept the fact that you are in your situation because of your choices. Therefore, you can only make changes to yourself when you change your way of thinking and accept responsibility.
Remember diets don’t work and there is no magic pill.
~ Melissa Maze
