A Brain based approach to creating change

I have posted this before but I think it is worth repeating because it is so powerful.
Feedback welcome.

Ever wondered why it is such hard work to create change?

Do you want to finally get off the treadmill of ‘two steps forward one step back’ when trying to

change your lifestyle habits for the better so you can create the kind of physique and vibrant

health you have always dreamed of?

Before we continue, a quick lesson on the brain; thankfully in plain, easy to understand terms!

Recent studies on how the brain works have discovered that our brains like to “hardwire” any

activity we do repetitively. It stores this information in an area of the brain called the basal

ganglia so our brain can do these things without really thinking about them, freeing our brains up

to learn new things and respond to new situations.

Imagine if everyday we had to relearn how to tie our shoes or brush our teeth, put on makeup,

make a coffee or drive a car. Because we do these things so often they have become second

nature and we can now do them as if on “auto pilot”.

This is relevant to creating change in our lifestyle habits because much of what we do now is

“hardwired”. When we try to change our habits our brains detect change and it feels

uncomfortable.

The good news is that we can use this ability to “hardwire” to our advantage.

We now know inherently we are opposed to change and will experience a struggle when trying to

make change happen. Up until now we have probably put this down to lack of willpower when in

fact this is what we are predisposed to do.

So in theory, all we need to do now is create some new habits and do them enough that they

become “hardwired”. Again, remember back to tying your shoes, only this time think back to the

first time you tried to do it. I remember a lot of frustration throughout this process, thinking I

would never get it right - but I did and you did too.

I remember being so focused on learning how to tie my shoes that I practiced and persevered until

I got it.

Ahhhhh……

And here my friend’s is the key.

There is even a term we can attach to this; it is called Attention Density. Attention Density is

applying consistent and committed focus to whatever it is you are trying to do; to immerse

yourself in what you are trying to achieve until you achieve it.

This is where we can now apply this little lesson about the brain to our health and fitness goals.

Imagine that you want to create a habit of waking up and walking or running each day at 6am. Up

until now you have been waking up at 7.45 and heading straight for the kettle. What discomfort

can you expect to experience when trying to create this new habit or “hardwiring”? Plenty!

However, now you can expect it and plan to work through it, because you know by repeating it

consistently enough your brain will “hardwire” this new habit. Within a month or two you will be

doing it without thinking, which is the desired outcome.

Great in theory but what’s going to keep you at it when the alarm rings and all you want to do is

hit snooze? You need to have an inspired reason to work through the discomfort and create

simple strategies for making this as easy as possible during the transition phrase. This includes

tactics such as having your workout gear right by your bed so you can be dressed and out the door

before you’ve had time to think about it. It is important at this time to set yourself up to win.

I coach women to set themselves up to win by supporting them through this transition phase. By

keeping them accountable and helping them find their own ways to push through this

“hardwiring” phase they can create the change they have been looking for.

In summary, to utilise the brain-based approach to change follow the following three steps. 

FIND YOUR INSPIRED REASON FOR CHANGE

This is always in the form of a goal that inspires and excites you.

TRANSITION PHASE (NEW HARDWIRING TAKING PLACE)

Know that this is the “hard work” phase of creating change and that soon enough your brain will

“hardwire” this new habit making it a new part of your makeup.

CHANGE

Live the change. The longer this change is in process the more difficult it is to undo.

Why you DONT need motivation.

It is a common misconception that we need to be motivated if we are to achieve our health fitness or weight loss goals

But as you are probably aware by now motivation is a fickle friend that can not always be relied upon when you need it

My Glow girls will be the first to tell you lack of motivation is not an excuse that holds too much weight for me and my response is pretty much the same each time

You dont need to be motivated to get the job done you just need to get it done.

The reality is that there will be times you are not motivated but you do have other options as a driving force to get your butt out the door when you really dont feel like it.

Discipline

Discipline is by far a more reliable friend than motivation.

Like most skills self discipline takes time to develop but once acquired it is hard to shake it is a much more loyal friend than motivation

Start small and continue to build for example discipline yourself to pack your lunch box every evening for 1 month to ensure you have a healthy and nutritious lunch that will keep you on track

One month of packing your lunch everyday will create the habit but will still require small amounts of discipline to keep it up

Structure

Structure is equally as important as discipline because without it things can easily go awry.

In the lunchbox example the structure could involve a list like the one below to get you started

Airtight Containers small medium and large

Cooler Bag with reusable ice packs

Weekly Lunch Meal Plan

Shopping for Plan baby spinach lean protein greek yoghurt

Obviously after you have purchased your containers and cooler they can come off the list and then each week you only need to create your meal plan and then shop for it so you have everything on hand in the evenings when it is time to prepare you lunches

If you have everything on hand it becomes EASY to throw everything together

When things are easy THEY GET DONE

Do the work in the beginning and the rest falls into place

Accountability

Most women need some form of accountability to get over those hump moments when a bad decision could easily be made

If you have to tell someone or write down that you didnt pack your lunch and instead ate rubbish for lunch it will make you think twice about not spending the 5 minutes it will take you to put your lunch together

Goals

The more visible and compelling your goals are the more dedicated you will be to them

Goal setting is a whole other newsletter but just know that if you can see your goals regularly and they excite you the chances of you doing what it takes are greatly increased

So there you have it your guide to getting the job done sans motivation

Don’t get me wrong motivation is nice it makes the job easier but it is not crucial

For the odd dose of motivation to keep things fun here is a list of things you can use to give you that extra kick

New Workout Clothes

New Music for your ipod

Sign up for a fun run or walk a bike ride or triathlon

Read Quality Fitness Magazines for inspiration

Create a vision board I do one every single December

Do a fun workout or class for a week for something different

Train with a friend

Pull out your old favorite jeans and hang them where you can see them

Watch you tube footage of Ironman Hawaii and try not to head out the door for a run

Search google images for fit bodies or similar

While you dont need motivation a bit of fun never hurt anyone

Create discipline structure accountability and goals and have that in place knowing this will get the job done and draw on things like the list above when …