The entire fitness industry is changing rapidly. Yes, there are still a new detoxes, cleanses, weight loss pills, or exercise gadgets promising EFFORTLESS weight loss. 

They are promoted across social media feeds, using ads that always appear too good to be true.  Typically, they also use “doctor” and “celebrity” endorsements trying to enhance credibility.  My purpose is not to discourage you. Instead, I hope to enlighten and encourage you. It may also save you some disappointment when you don’t end up looking like the fitness model on that supplement bottle.

Mainstream lifestyle

Although transformations take work, time, and dedication, they are happening. Fitness is transitioning from a small subculture of passionate enthusiasts to a mainstream lifestyle. People are steadily reversing Americas’ couch-potato ways.   When it comes to wellness, it’s more than just a routine, it’s a lifestyle.  The numbers say it all.  According to the Global Wellness Institute, the wellness industry is a $3.7 trillion business. It grew 10.6 percent from 2013 to 2015, and is expected to grow 17 percent over the next five years.

The “Yesterday” look of fitness from the Jane Fonda era.

Access

The recent popularity of easy-to-access group fitness, community walking classes and wearable technology (i.e. the Apple Watch) suggests that individuals today don’t just want to go to a gym to sweat.   It seems that they want to incorporate unique, fitness experiences into their daily lives.  People of all ages are now enjoying fitness for the social benefits as much as the health outcomes.  With a major shift towards mindfulness and time-efficient training, the fitness industry has been changing on a global scale.

Transformation of exercise into daily life

Break up the monotony

Exercise can seem boring when only focusing on anatomical and physiological outcomes.   However, sports-conditioning classes provide us with performance-based outcomes that make the exercises more engaging and fun.  Today’s active-lifestyle fitness is unlike yesterday’s walk on the treadmill. Kickboxing is a great form of exercise and, because of the many advantages, it is a popular fitness regimen today.  Because we are living with incredible amounts of stress in our lives, hitting a bag or throwing forceful air punches using the force of our whole bodies is an amazing release.  This is one reason boxing is the “knock-out” workout of the year! Or, you might want to break up the monotony of jazzercise or spinning classes with a hiking workout.  Certainly, the variety will help put different muscles to work, boost cardio, and burn some fat.

Technology

The innovative technology of 2018 has brought us to virtual reality workouts. Treadmills that seamlessly connect to a game.   This allows you to run, pivot, jump and crouch while wearing sneakers that wirelessly interact with sensors on the treadmill.  It automatically measures your steps and calories, allowing you to track how hard your body’s working (while your mind is busy chasing bad guys!). The introduction of VR fitness means that you can go for scenic runs, travel the world, and compete in global events without ever leaving your living room.

Easier and more practical

The 1960’s was the era of the “crewneck sweatshirt”.  The ultimate ’60s fitness look was mid-thigh shorts, a cotton tee or tank, and a gray sweatshirt. This no-frills outfit was perfect for pumping iron. Today, as part of the active-lifestyle mindset, athletic designs favor a more minimalist look that can go anywhere. Hence, the fabric and fit of fitness clothes has become indistinguishable from typical street wear. The ability to exercise has become easier and more practical.

Benefits from physical activity are not restricted to exercise performed in the gym.  In fact, one of the easiest ways to improve your overall health may be through increasing the amount of low-intensity physical activity you perform throughout the day. Exercise is no longer a curse word!  Fitness and an active, healthy lifestyle represents the new Transformation. We are transforming the way we think about exercise and fitness. As a result, it no longer has to be dreadful, but an uplifting, fun lifestyle!

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(time management, goal setting, record tracking)

At first glance, it would seem that positive thinking and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) have nothing to do with one another. But many of us with ADD develop negative thinking patterns because we become frustrated by our challenges and frequent feelings of being overwhelmed. This negative outlook then makes it even harder for us to manage those challenges, move forward and take control.

Practicing positive thinking allows people with ADD to focus on our strengths and accomplishments, which increases happiness and motivation. This, in turn, allows us to spend more time making progress, and less time feeling down and stuck. The following tips provide practical suggestions that you can use to help you shift into more positive thinking patterns:

1. Take Good Care of Yourself

It’s much easier to be positive when you are eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest.

2. Remind Yourself of the Things You Are Grateful For

Stresses and challenges don’t seem quite as bad when you are constantly reminding yourself of the things that are right in life. Taking just 60 seconds a day to stop and appreciate the good things will make a huge difference.

3. Look for the Proof Instead of Making Assumptions

A fear of not being liked or accepted sometimes leads us to assume that we know what others are thinking, but our fears are usually not reality. If you have a fear that a friend or family member’s bad mood is due to something you did, or that your co-workers are secretly gossiping about you when you turn your back, speak up and ask them. Don’t waste time worrying that you did something wrong unless you have proof that there is something to worry about.

4. Refrain from Using Absolutes

Have you ever told a partner “You’re ALWAYS late!” or complained to a friend “You NEVER call me!”? Thinking and speaking in absolutes like ‘always’ and ‘never’ makes the situation seem worse than it is, and programs your brain into believing that certain people are incapable of delivering.

5. Detach From Negative Thoughts

Your thoughts can’t hold any power over you if you don’t judge them. If you notice yourself having a negative thought, detach from it, witness it, and don’t follow it.

6. Take Control and Squash the “ANTs”

In his book “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life,” Dr. Daniel Amen talks about “ANTs” – Automatic Negative Thoughts. These are the bad thoughts that are usually reactionary, like “Those people are laughing, they must be talking about me,” or “The boss wants to see me? It must be bad!” When you notice these thoughts, realize that they are nothing more than ANTs. Take control and squash them!

7. Practice Lovin’, Touchin’ & Squeezin’ (Your Friends and Family)

You don’t have to be an expert to know the benefits of a good hug. Positive physical contact with friends, loved ones, and even pets, is an instant pick-me-up. One research study on this subject had a waitress touch some of her customers on the arm as she handed them their checks. She received higher tips from these customers than from the ones she didn’t touch!

8. Increase Your Social Activity

By increasing social activity, you decrease loneliness. Surround yourself with healthy, happy people, and their positive energy will affect you in a positive way!

9. Volunteer for an Organization, or Help another Person

Everyone feels good after helping. You can volunteer your time, your money, or your resources. The more positive energy you put out into the world, the more you will receive in return.

10. Use Pattern Interrupts to Combat Rumination

If you find yourself ruminating, a great way to stop it is to interrupt the pattern and force yourself to do something completely different. Rumination is like hyper-focus on something negative. It’s never productive, because it’s not rational or solution-oriented, it’s just excessive worry. Try changing your physical environment – go for a walk or sit outside. You could also call a friend, pick up a book, or turn on some music.

When it comes to the corporate world, protocol is pretty much the religion. To know the things needed to do are the basics of productivity, but interaction and having a steady mind makes up the entire thing to true productivity. There are those who seem to work well even under pressure, but they’re uncommon ones and we are human and imperfect. To get these little things like stress under our skins won’t solve our problems. Sometimes it takes a bit of courage to admit that we’re turning to be workaholics than tell ourselves that we’re not doing our best.