Through highly achievable micro-goals that relate to action rather than results, Cooke takes clients who don’t see themselves as ‘exercise freaks’ and over time builds an identity where they become a person. who exercise.
The crucial first step, that initial placement of the remote on the coffee table and heading for the door, often means finding someone to be with you. Cooke says, “I’m a partner in responsibility. Closing the gap between behavior and intent.
The sense of belonging, feeling part of something that others are participating in is enormously powerful. Josephine Perry, sports psychologist and author of The ten pillars of success, advises anyone looking to move out of their upholstery to find a companion. “Find someone to do it with, someone like you, not the fittest person you know. The power of belonging is enormous. Join a team or a club and feel like you belong”.
Responsibility, ownership, and incremental goals will change the way you see yourself. But Cooke says the process takes time. Going from wanting to lose weight for a wedding, or preparing for a charity run, to becoming someone whose identity encompasses fitness usually happens within a year.
Over four decades ago I started working out, often doing the wrong moves for the wrong reasons, but now I’m someone who works out. Tomorrow morning, why not go out and get some movement, whatever? Keep going regularly, without sudden lifestyle changes, and one day you’ll be out there with drizzle on your face and joy in your heart.
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