By Gabe Sanders Ph.D., NSCA-CSCS
In the field of health and fitness, experts, doctors, and trainers are always preaching about the importance of choosing a healthy lifestyle. The messaging strategy experts implement is used to nicely encourage people (and rightfully so) to adopt a healthy lifestyle that focuses on healthy food choices and regular physical activity. While encouragement and social support are critical psycho-behavioral components when aiming for behavioral change, more attention should be given to helping people understand the need for conviction when making a lifestyle change.
You must have a strong belief in behavior change
The word conviction means “to hold a strong belief or opinion” and in this case, people must have a strong belief that a lifestyle change will help and transform their life for the better. You see that drug and alcohol addicts must be committed to change, but it is their conviction to a better life that is the driver of the behavioral change. This conviction is likely a precursor to the self-determination theory (SDT). The SDT is the theory that behavioral change occurs when people feel competent, are socially connected, and have autonomy or freedom of choice.
Are you excited to lose weight and feel better?
The essence of beginning something new sparks excitement, fear, and anxiety in most people. Many people are excited to lose weight, feel better, or get stronger. However, they fear what other people may say about them at the gym or exercise facility.
As a result, people become anxious about starting for many possible, but unlikely fears. This is where conviction comes in and can stomp out fear and anxiety and allow the feelings of excitement to dominate.
As a practitioner, I encourage people to develop a mental fortitude toward a healthy lifestyle and be convicted about adopting positive health behaviors as they can and will change their life!
Article’s Sources
Abou Elmagd, Mohammed. “Benefits, need and importance of daily exercise.” Int. J. Phys. Educ. Sports Health 3.5 (2016): 22-27.
Teixeira, Pedro J., et al. “Exercise, physical activity, and self-determination theory: a systematic review.” International journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity 9.1 (2012): 1-30.
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