Step 2: Thinking about it
When you’ve reached this point, not only are you more aware that a problem exists, you’re also seriously considering doing something about it. This is great progress, even if you haven’t actually made a commitment to start.
In this stage, you’re considering the pros and cons of starting, even if you haven’t quite gotten yourself to plug in the treadmill. You’re at the point where you might increase your physical activity or you might decide you’re not quite ready for prime-time–or any other time–workouts and give it up for now.
In this stage, you know where you want to go and you may even know how to get there. But you can’t quite cajole yourself into following through with any action. Acquiring knowledge and venting/whining can be helpful here, as well as two other techniques: role modeling and reinventing yourself.
Role modeling goes beyond acquiring knowledge. Here you closely observe someone you know, someone in the public eye or even some fictional character who might inspire you to fitness. You might chat with a friend who exercises regularly, or watch sporting events like the Olympics. Who would be role models you respect and like? Pick some activity you might enjoy and watch a master of it. Once you open yourself up to the possibilities, you may be inspired to get moving yourself.
Reinventing yourself involves looking at yourself in a different way. This is the time to return to the power of fantasy. Try imagining yourself as an athlete or a dancer, or just someone who is really in shape. This is NOT silly; every champion from every walk of life had FIRST in his mind a dream of what s/he wanted to become.
Imagery could involve mentally picturing yourself as more flexible or thinner or whatever else exercise could help you with. Take three minutes, sit down, lean back, close your eyes and fantasize about anything physical that you want to try, like weight training, skiing, roller-blading, etc. Just do it.
When it’s over, how does it feel? If you imagined skiing, could you feel the wind? The crouch? Did you see the hill, sun, snow, trees, other skiers? Could you feel the thrill in the pit of your stomach and your head when the run was through? Make it happen in your mind. The brain is extraordinarily powerful. You can if you think you can, just like the Little Engine that Could.
Also, you can use imagery to conjure up a picture of yourself benefiting from exercise. Think of the thing exercise could help you with that is most important to you. Could your joints be more flexible? Would you be happier 10 pounds lighter? Close your eyes. Imagine yourself moving as you would like to move. Watch this in the theater of your mind for however long it interests you. When you grow bored, stop, whether five seconds have passed or 10 minutes. Repeat this two or three times a day.
It’s even possible that performing certain movements in your mind rehearses the motor pathways so that when you do try the actual movement, it’ll be easier.