How Shifting from "I Can't" to "I Can" Can Transform Your Health and Fitness Journey

The "I can't" attitude could be holding you back from achieving your health and fitness goals.

---

Have you ever caught yourself being a negative Nancy and constantly starting sentences with "I can't" when it comes to your health and fitness?

"I can't stick to a diet" or "I can't find the time to exercise", are thoughts that can easily become self-fulfilling prophecies if we let them. Reframing these challenges with an "I can" mindset may be the key to helping you overcome these barriers.

Shifting our mindset from "I can't" to "I can" might sound like a subtle change, but it can make such a difference when it comes to achieving your health and fitness goals.

Let's talk through a few strategies that can help encourage a positive shift in your mindset around "I can":

• Start Small and Set Goals: Start with small changes that you can implement into your routine. Setting yourself small, realistic and manageable goals will help you bring out that "I can" attitude. For example, instead of just focusing on a long-term goal such as "losing 20kgs", try shifting your focus to a smaller goal that can act as a stepping stone to a healthier lifestyle and will be attainable in a shorter timeframe. This could be something as simple as "Incorporate an extra serve of veggies each day". Each small victory helps to build confidence and in turn creates momentum, helping you see that you really can do it.

  
  

• Celebrate Your Progress (No Matter How Small): Take some time to acknowledge the small victories you have already had along the way. Every step forward, no matter how small counts! Whether you choose a healthier snack at lunchtime or you fit in a short workout when you are pressed for time, make sure you recognise these achievements. This helps reinforce a positive mindset.

  
  

• Focus on The Things You Can Do: Have a good think about the things you tell yourself you can't do. Whether you tell yourself you "can't find the time" or "you can't commit", catch yourself out on these and ask yourself if you CAN but you are just trying to find all the reasons why you think you can't. For example, if you have a goal to increase your daily steps, rather than saying "I can't find time to do more steps", could you possibly find ways to incorporate steps into your routine with minimal extra effort? What about parking the car a little further away at work, what about walking for a portion of your lunch break, what about walking around the room while you are on a phone call, we can always brainstorm creative ways to make things work for us. Give it a try the next time you catch yourself saying "I can't".

• Seek Support and Resources: Sometimes, the “I can’t” feeling can come from a lack of knowledge or support. Having a support system can make a huge difference in your ability to make positive changes to your mindset and lifestyle. Do not hesitate to reach out for advice or join a community that shares similar goals to you for extra support.

• Practice Self-Compassion and Self-Love: It is so important to be kind to yourself. Everyone has off-days, no one is perfect, and we are human. Instead of viewing off-days or slip-ups as failures, try to see them as opportunities to learn and grow. Adjust your plan if you need to and keep moving forward.

Adopting an “I can” attitude empowers us to overcome barriers and obstacles that we sometimes even create ourselves. It's not about being perfect, instead, it's about making consistent positive choices in our lives to make ourselves proud.

Try switching the "I can't" attitude for an "I can" attitude and see just how much you are capable of!