I still can’t do high knees! But I went from hating working out to absolutely loving it. Although I have lived an active life, I just had never found a way to enjoy the discipline and routine of working out. Last June I decided I was going to fake it until I made it.
Last summer a couple of my goals were to work out 2 -3 xs a week and to be able to do 10 pushups in a row. Today in my box fit class I did 60 J pushups and I now work out 4-5 times a week. On my non-workout days, I actually miss it. Who would have thought.
Here is what I have come to learn. The neuroscience research backs up the idea of ‘Fake It Until You Make It’. Each time we push ourselves, even if it is just a little, including telling ourselves we like something even when we are not so sure we do, we forge a new neuropathway in the brain. Its kinda like going out for a walk in really deep snow. First time its hard, difficult and a struggle because the snow is so deep. But the second, third and fourth time it gets easier because you have forged that pathway in the snow.
During the storytelling and comprehension process we activate and articulation the specific sensory and motor networks, which results in their becoming relatively stronger and easier to activate each time they are accessed, which is the neoplastic basis for learning. Our bodies react to the stories we tell ourselves, including our autonomic nervous system, our hormonal systems, and our immune systems.
Best part is that the same neurons associated with hearing a story continue to be active for a time after the story ends.
So the now that I love my fitness routine, I will now start telling myself I can do high knees JIMG_6717