Apr 30, 20224 min read

Do You Think About What You're Thinking About?

Updated: May 12, 2023

Fat & Fit AF - Yes, That's the Name of My Blog - The Power of Positive Thinking is NOT B.S.

a woman with her hands in the air and big smile on her face — This is your brain & body on positive thoughts

Hi there!

I don't post a lot of deep things, but yes, today I'm going to talk about positive thoughts, because I've been thinking about them a lot this week and it's important to overall fitness. If you're not interested, feel free to keep on moving, I won't be mad, because everyone's situation is different and I'm not here to judge anyone and what they're going through. I'm just giving a slightly different perspective on things. But it might, just might, be exactly what you need to hear. One of the greatest gifts we've been given is freedom of will, so the choice to read on is yours...

If you've kept reading, I'd like for you to consider something:

Do you think about what you're thinking about?

Our minds and bodies are interconnected

What we think affects our bodies, and what we do with our bodies affects our minds. We think about food, our stomachs may start to growl, or our mouths may start to water. We move our bodies in some way – dancing, exercising, playing, walking, our moods improve. Minds and bodies working together – amazingly and wonderfully designed to work that way.

We all have negative thoughts & emotions..

...it’s just what we DO with them that determines the outcome. Negativity comes in all different forms - anger, bitterness, fear, unforgiveness (that's a BIG one!), are just a few examples. When we dwell on them, let them hang around the living room of your mind, they can cause problems – as if ruining your carpet with their dirty feet, trashing the good furniture and trying to make their way into other rooms of your mental “house”. As we let them stay in our heads, these negatives cause problems such as chronic stress, which causes hormonal shifts; damages our immune systems; shortens our lifespan. They can tear us down from the inside out. No thank you - these buggers need to GO before they get into the kitchen! Negatives can and will come into your mind, but you don't have keep them.

"Poorly-managed negative emotions are not good for your health" – Karen Lawson, MD

Good news! You can save that furniture!

If you've allowed negatives to rent a room in your mental house, all is not lost. Dwelling on positive thoughts & emotions have the opposite effect. They’re like a combination of bouncer/cleaning/spa services – they kick out the negativity, clean everything up & repair the broken furniture. Then they treat you to a bath/massage/mani-pedi - whatever relaxes you. They can reverse those ill effects caused by chronic stress, promote better health and more mental resilience. When we're resilient, we can better handle and bounce back from negative, sad, stressful situations with optimism and an expectation of future good. A great example of someone with great resilience was Jesus Christ - he faced every single negative a person could go through, yet he did his Father's will perfectly, never made a mistake. He kept his mind on the Word of God that he knew and renewed his mind to it whenever presented with something that was contrary to what he'd learned. Now he's alive and well and sitting on the right hand of God in Heaven. I think that's a pretty good outcome to thinking positive thoughts, and not letting negatives settle in.

"Do not be ·shaped by [conformed to; pressed into a mold by] this ·world [age]; instead be ·changed within [transformed] by ·a new way of thinking [or changing the way you think; L the renewing of your mind]. Then you will be able to ·decide [discern; test and approve] what ·God wants for you [is God’s will]; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect." - Romans 12:2 Expanded Bible [EXB]

In short, take care of your thoughts and your thoughts will take care of you! Keep that living room furniture untrashed - you'll be better for it!

So, now what should I think about?

So... now you may be thinking, “What should I think about when there's so much crap going on in the world?” Here you go:

“In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.” Philippians 4:8 Good News Translation [GNT]

Not terrible things to think about – a good way to take care of those pesky negatives and keep them at bay. All those things can be found in the Bible. If reading the Bible is not your thing, that’s not your thing. They keys are still the same – find things to dwell on that will dispel the negative thoughts and emotions. Here’s a hint – you WON’T find them on the news, so please don’t start there!

A heart on a window with lights behind it

Here’s something else: Know that you are always loved – God loves you - yes, YOU! And you don’t even have to believe in Him for Him to love you – that’s just how He rolls. I choose to love you, too (yes, you!). Guess what else - you are necessary because you are loved and unique and have something to bring to this world that no one else in this world can! Think about that! At least for a few minutes, then give yourself a big hug from me, since I can't be there in person! You are loved!

Want to work out those thoughts & emotions physically?

I offer a class that combines physical movement and ways to deal with thoughts & emotions - Cardio Yoga™. It's a fusion of sweaty cardio (boosting endorphins), power postures (boosting testosterone & lowering cortisol), and mindful yoga (calming & centering). Want to try it? Check out my website for more information & take advantage of my FREE trial membership.

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