Mental Conditioning

Using the laws of hypnosis to establish a life of fitness

By Jaime V. Pitner, Personal Trainer and Hypnotherapist

Hypnosis is founded upon the theory of the two-minds, you have a conscious mind and an unconscious mind. Lifetime learning occurs through the amazing transfer of information into your unconscious mind. With repetition learning becomes stronger. This learning can also be called habit, and we can form both good and bag habits. The funny thing is that they both come easy.

With the power of suggestion you can change behavior as your unconscious mind learns a new way of doing things. Suggestions often repeated have the greatest effect. They can be in the form of actions as well as words. Each time you decide to repeat a behavior, the more you are likely to again, as your unconscious mind develops an easy pathway to it for you. Each moment of decision is what forms your destiny.

Make exercise the easy choice by using the following mental conditioning tips:

1. Buy new exercise clothes. Wear these clothes only when exercising. You are conditioning your mind and body to automatically associate these clothes with exercise. As soon as you put them on you feel the power to exercise. I call it the “superman effect”.

2. Review your personal schedule. Create the time to exercise for at least 30 minutes daily. An easy way to do this is to set the alarm clock earlier. Sounds crazy but you just created an extra 30 minutes in your day.

3. Exercise regularly. Your body runs on an inner clock, it anticipates certain changes and requirements throughout the day. Keeping a regular time for exercise allows your body to anticipate and adjust accordingly.

4. Be prepared. Meet with a trainer and develop a plan for your exercise. Know what you’re going to do before you go to the gym. Without focus the mind resorts to randomness and confusion. Preparation develops focus.

5. Use “power” words. By word-association your mind mobilizes your body’s resources. Repeating words during your work out such as: “power, endurance, energy, focus, control, strength”, you’ll find yourself moving easily through challenges.

6. Put your mind in the muscle. Keep your mind in the activity don’t try to block it out just to get it over with. Tune into the internal sensations of your exercise making your mind-body communication stronger and your workout more effective.

7. Use imagery. Use your imagination to create exercise specific visualization. See yourself doing an activity related to the physical movements of the exercise. Imagine doing your sport, outdoor activity, or athletic event, or even imagine being your favorite athlete or movie hero.