50 Positive Habits: Transform you Life - Michael Chapman (2016)
Fitness Goals and Habits
Before we go any further, it’s important to start at the main point - your body. We want to look at how you can make a positive impact in your life in terms of productivity and achieving your goals. However, I found that my mind was not ready for change - the reason being that my body was not strong enough to facilitate it.
So, I looked into fitness goals and habits that I wanted to try and emulate. I got involved with this program and quite quickly found that the tips below helped me reshape, strengthen and optimize my body for improvement.
Walking Every Day
Why Will This Help Me Become More Positive?
The first idea that I recommend you look into is going for a walk every day. Walking every day is a very useful way to give the body extra exercise.
Applying The Action For Increased Positivity
Simply go for a walk in the first half hour you are up and ready to go. A simple walk around can help get the blood flowing and improve clarity.
How Often Should I Practice?
Every day! This is something I would never recommend getting rid of. It’s such a useful way to hone the body and make sure you are in fine working condition.
Life Without This Change
You’ll start more days with a lack of passion in your heart and a lack of belief in yourself. Days without activity tend to be lethargic, slow and often fraught.
Life With This Change
By simply walking in the morning, though, you make sure that you get some exercise. Exercise releases endorphins which makes us happier and sharper. Walking every day improves mood; fact!
Staying Active
Why Will This Help Me Become More Positive?
I found that as a consequence of working with a computer, I spent most of my time sitting at home. By standing up every 30mins for 5mins exercise, I improved.
Applying The Action For Increased Positivity
I simply would get up and walk around the office, usually up and down the stairs to get the blood flowing in my legs to avoid any problems with circulation.
How Often Should I Practice?
Every half an hour. Even if you do it once an hour, though, you’ll notice a marginal improvement in the quality of your overall fitness which will gradually keep improving.
Life Without This Change
Most of my days would start with sore legs and a lot of pain going through them, with not a lot of mobility. This would only get worse as I age.
Life With This Change
This has literally changed my life. Far more capable of getting around now and my days are more active - even my early walks feel better than they ever had!
Working Out
Why Will This Help Me Become More Positive?
I found that for just ten minutes of exercise I could work most parts of my body and give myself a much needed workout. Simply doing strength exercises really helped.
Applying The Action For Increased Positivity
Every day I would work something else; chest, legs, arms, thighs etc. and I found that it really helped to improve my mood. I also felt fitter, and more confident!
How Often Should I Practice?
I do this every day and would recommend that you do the same. The benefits can only be positive, leaving your body feeling stronger and your mind running much faster.
Life Without This Change
I just found that my quality of fitness was degrading rapidly. Without doing this, my strength would just keep weakening and my body would keep feeling lazy and lethargic longer.
Life With This Change
Every morning I feel sharper and much more alert compared to how I did. I feel stronger and am more capable of dealing with physical problems without such incredible hardship.
Jogging on the Spot
Why Will This Help Me Become More Positive?
A great little solution that I found was simply jogging on the spot for the duration of a TV program. I watch a lot of soccer and would jog then.
Applying The Action For Increased Positivity
I simply just have to stand up and start jogging. Since I am concentrating on the TV, I find that I use less mental energy and therefore can keep going.
How Often Should I Practice?
Again, I do this every single day. I find that it has a huge benefit on my overall quality of life and already my cardio is beginning to improve steadily.
Life Without This Change
I would have just kept getting worse and worse; this exercise regime helps me engage with my overall stamina more and makes it easier to stay closer to ideal fitness.
Life With This Change
A major part of my life beforehand was spent watching TV and looking at screens. This simple change has revolutionized the way that I work, improving productivity and my cardio.
Bedroom Activity
Why Will This Help Me Become More Positive?
If you are that sort of person, then a bit more ‘personal time’ with a loved one is just what you need. Simply by having sex more, you’ll feel stronger!
Applying The Action For Increased Positivity
Regular sex is great for being a stress relief element and can even be used to relieve your body of illness as it helps to boost the immune system long-term.
How Often Should I Practice?
Well, as much as you can! There’s no specific amount needed but more than what you do just now should be a suitable replacement; it really is dependent on you.
Life Without This Change
Well, you increase your chances of having worse cardiovascular health and some studies even say it could increase your chance of prostate cancer by a pretty considerable margin.
Life With This Change
I sleep better, my body is in far less pain and I just have a better quality of life. My relationship has strengthened, too, and we feel more comfortable around each other.
Finding a Habit
Why Will This Help Me Become More Positive?
One of the most powerful ways I found to help myself, though, was to use a habit. I picked up playing puzzle games and it helped to really sharpen my mind.
Applying The Action For Increased Positivity
The reason that I chose to go with a new hobby is because it helps us to really improve our fitness, and our lifestyle. New activities are good for the soul.
How Often Should I Practice?
As often as you can - it depends on what you do. If you decide to join a sports team, for example, make sure you treat it with 100% dedication.
Life Without This Change
You’ll just have a far less interesting lifestyle and tend to become more annoyed and frustrated at the limited experimentations you do have. This adds some very interesting variety.
Life With This Change
With this change, though, you will begin to feel far more comfortable as a person. It adds variety to your life and ensures you’ll continue to see consistent success as you start to conquer and take on new challenges in life.
Parking Away
Why Will This Help Me Become More Positive?
Whenever I have to go to the stores or to the office, I now park a few blocks away. It adds another 2-3 minutes of walking, which is useful.
Applying The Action For Increased Positivity
I chose to do this simply because it’s nice to have a bit of extra exercise. It also allows for time for self-reflection before I have to go get involved.
How Often Should I Practice?
Every time you go out. I found it was just a simple but easy little habit to get into that would gradually improve fitness but help us relax in our minds.
Life Without This Change
It’s not going to be an earth-shattering difference but it’s just another positive action you can take; without it you’ll be making no difference.
Life With This Change
You’ll feel fitter, you’ll go into work/shopping/etc. much less cluttered in the mind, and you’ll feel better about who you are and your body in general.
Stretching Properly
Why Will This Help Me Become More Positive?
I found that one of the most useful ways for me to get into a better frame of fitness was simple doing stretching for 5 minutes’ post-shower or waking.
Applying The Action For Increased Positivity
I just simply would get out of bed and stretch out my legs, my calves, my hamstrings, my arms, my neck and my back. It only took a few seconds!
How Often Should I Practice?
Every single morning. It helps you get out of the door without all of those cramps and stretches that most of us find ourselves dealing with throughout the day. Very useful for helping your body heal and rebound from pain.
Life Without This Change
Not doing this won’t be a major issue, but every little helps if you want to get yourself into shape.
Life With This Change
You’ll feel less strained and sore in the morning and will be more likely to get to and from your objectives in the day without feeling terrible after you’re finished.
Teaming Up
Why Will This Help Me Become More Positive?
Struggling to get yourself into a good shape? Then you should definitely consider turning to running with a friend. A running buddy can make a real difference to your fitness.
Applying The Action For Increased Positivity
I found just going for that run we spoke of in the morning, but with a friend, after a few weeks of practice was good for morale and overall enjoyment.
How Often Should I Practice?
Any time that you both can; circumstances can get in the way but it should never be something that holds you back too much. Just make sure you make time when you both can.
Life Without This Change
You’ll perhaps find it harder to stay in tune with your fitness goals and, like others, might be prone to giving up when the going gets tough or you start plateauing.
Life With This Change
You’ll likely have a healthier body and a more steely mindset. It’s easier to get through the day and exercise when working with a buddy.
Making Exercise Fun
Why Will This Help Me Become More Positive?
My main fitness challenge was making exercise fun - the best way I found was to join a sports team. Simply by playing soccer, I actually began to look forward to fitness.
Applying The Action For Increased Positivity
I train three nights a week and play on a Sunday. Regardless of what kind of sport or practice you wish to get involved with, something will appeal to you.
How Often Should I Practice?
Most people feel comfortable practicing three/four nights a week. This makes the general regime of training and fitness more positive as you have a genuine reason for doing it.
Life Without This Change
If you are someone who cannot train or get fit without a reason, then life without this will be quite tough. Having a reason like sports makes training more “meaningful”.
Life With This Change
You’ll feel fitter, you’ll be much happier and you’ll be ready to take on the world. This will make an absolutely massive difference to your overall quality of life long-term.