Attitude is Everything, by Matthew Romans

I borrowed the title phrase of this post, "Attitude is Everything", from Total Results client Judd Swift. Judd often says this phrase as he walks into our exercise room to start his workout. Attitude is a reflection of one's state of mind, and a positive attitude is a key trait shared by many successful people. Not everyone who has a positive attitude was born that way; it is learned behavior. While the body perceives a Total Results exercise session to be a negative event (which is necessary, in order to stimulate muscular growth), having a positive attitude as you prepare for and go through your workout will pay huge dividends as you work toward achieving your goals.

How does attitude play a role?

First, you want to have the mindset that exercise is something that is important to you. Think of the big picture: your health is vital, and you have a vested interest in avoiding chronic disease, injuries, and staying out of the health care system. Regular Total Results workouts can help you do that by building lean muscle mass, strengthening joints and connective tissue, and maintaining your insulin sensitivity. Yes, our workouts are uncomfortable (nobody yet has referred to them as fun), but the benefits are worth the discomfort.

Second, be a learner. This is something that we often talk about during an initial consultation. Our exercise methodology is something that is largely unfamiliar to most prospective clients that walk through our door. Don't expect to do it perfectly right away, but patiently apply the instructions and cues that your instructor gives you as you perform each exercise. Attaining proficiency at anything, whether it's speaking a foreign language, playing a musical instrument, or improving your golf swing requires effort and discipline. The same is true for maximizing your exercise performance.

Third, sharpen your mental focus. Take a few minutes prior to your workout (on your ride to our facility, sitting in your car in the parking lot, or even in our lobby) to visualize a successful workout. This is your time for yourself; put aside for 20 minutes all of the other things in life that are competing for your attention. While our workouts are intense, they are also brief and infrequent. It's a little easier to maintain laser-like focus if you know ahead of time that it's only for 20 minutes at most.

Fourth, just think about stimulating small improvements with each workout. Consistently doing that week after week will lead to success. Remember that Rome was not built in a day. Adding two and a half pounds to the weight stack in one week may not seem like a big deal, but over the course of several months it will add up to a significant increase in strength. That being said, don't obsess over how much weight is on the weight stack. Proper form is far more important than how much weight you lift.

Finally, when the exercise becomes demanding, and movement slows to a crawl or even stops, refuse to give in. You can do this! Even if you feel like you can't go on, always believe that you can. When momentary muscular failure creeps ever closer, that is the most effective part of the exercise. This is the stimulus that we seek. While this is the most unpleasant part of the exercise, it's the most important. Keep pushing in good form, no matter what.

I'm reminded of the well-known Henry Ford quote, "whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right." Attitude is everything. You are in control of your own destiny, and your success is in your hands. Let Total Results show you the way!