November is all about being thankful for the things in our lives. It’s also the beginning of the holiday season. We could talk about the stress that comes with the holidays, but that’s a pessimistic approach. Instead, think of the positive feelings you have surrounding the holidays, particularly being grateful for what you have. What you have includes many aspects of life, including your health and how to improve it.

Positive thoughts are easy to come by when things are going well. It’s easy to be in a good mood when things fall into place. Gratitude is a positive feeling that will help when things are not going so well. The old saying, “Be thankful for what you have”, isn’t always what you want to hear in the moment of stress, but as that stress subsides, there is nothing truer. To finish that saying.....”Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you focus on what you don’t have, you’ll never have enough.”

Gratitude affects your fitness routine just as much as it does other aspects of your life. Using the power of positive thought makes your workouts more efficient and effective. Just as the old saying above points out, being grateful for effective workouts leads to better results. A fitness routine, no matter the level, is all about results. Thank yourself for making time to work out. Thank yourself when you’ve completed a workout. Thank yourself when you add a new exercise to your routine. Thank yourself when you extend your workout a few minutes longer. All these examples enhance results.

Thanking your workout community will also have a positive, cumulative effect on your health and fitness. This may be a workout partner or group or even a hired hand such as a personal trainer or health and wellness coach. Your workout community brings accountability to the forefront. If you are one that struggles to get started or sometimes puts forth an effort less than what you are capable of, a good workout community can fix that. Grateful positivity and thanking those in your community will simply make all want to perform better. This, again, enhances results.

It’s not always easy to be that positive spark for yourself and those around you. Reminding yourself why you are making the time and effort to be healthy and then thanking yourself for that will only enhance your ability to reach goals.