How to Stay Forever Fit and Firm - Part 2, An Optimistic State of Mind

I believe an optimistic state of mind is the first and most important step in your journey for a more fit and firmer you. You must rid your mind of all the negative images you have of aging. Your body conforms itself to the mental image you hold of yourself. Envision yourself becoming weak and frail as you age, and this is what you will become. Imagine yourself strong and full of life and this is what you become.

For example, a certain man who I see regularly working out at the gym always complains of the aches and pains of getting old. He is my age but he looks and moves like a man 15 years older. He works out regularly, but his body is conforming to the negative image he has of the aging process.

Your body completely rebuilds itself every 11 months. This means every cell in your body is replaced each year. Whether your body rebuilds itself with strong healthy cells or weak unhealthy cells starts in the way you think about yourself. Think of yourself as strong and healthy and your body will replace old weak cells with strong and healthy cells.

Think about this, medications do not heal your body. They only aid your body in healing itself. Positive and healthy thoughts are more powerful in the healing process than any medication you could ever take. Thus, a fitness program built around a belief in your continued strength and fitness level as you age is core to reaching your health and fitness goals.

Positive thinking not only works in your health and fitness but also in all areas of your life. You tend to draw those things into your life that you think about the most. Ever notice how people who complain a lot always have more to complain about? And on the contrary, people who are thankful always have more to be thankful for? It’s called the Law of Attraction.

The Law of Attraction works like this: You attract things and conditions into your life that you believe to be true. If you believe that you catch a cold every year at a certain time, you will catch a cold every year at that certain date until you change your belief about it. Try this experiment. Think of someone you do not like, a person who just rubs you the wrong way. Now, start wishing all the best for that person. Do this every day and watch how your attitude toward that person changes and how their attitude toward you changes also.

This is how I develop and keep a positive outlook in my life. I start each day with what I call my “coffee time with God.” I spend 15 minutes reading something inspirational, while having my coffee. Then I spend 15 minutes in silent prayer and meditation. In my prayer, I thank God for my life, health, and strength and I ask for His guidance in all my ways. I meditate on all the blessings and the goodness that God brings into my life. I release any animosity I have towards anyone and send him or her blessings. I can’t put into words how wonderful I feel after this 30 minute ritual. I can only recommend that you try this and see the wonders it will bring to your life.

You Must Lift Weights For Firm And Sexy Muscles

Image via WikipediaI get asked my age a lot, and when I tell people that I'm 52, the next question is always, how do you stay so fit and toned?  My answer is, by weight lifting 4 times each week.  By weight lifting, I mean lifting at a resistance and intensity that I can barely complete my last repetition on each exercise.  Exercising at that intensity is really the key to getting firm and staying that way, especially as you get older.

I see far too many people wear themselves out by doing hours of cardio each week, and very little weight lifting.  And, when they do lift weights, they exercise with a resistance that's too small to produce results.  You've seen them, they are doing their weight lifting routine while carrying on a conversation with their friends (and they wonder why they see very little results).

When you lift weights, you must have enough resistance to overload your muscles to the point of exhaustion, that place where you find it difficult to do one more repetition.  When you exercise like that, your muscles are worn to the point where they must be repaired  by your body and consequently, they are made stronger.  Then your body starts to firm-up and look sexy, no matter what age.