Thinking Yourself Young

Hang in there with me. I read a fascinating new book by Ellen Langer.

Ellen is a psychologist and painter whose most well-known book is called Mindfulness.

In Counter Clockwise, she discusses her research on aging.

Through a number of different experiments, Dr. Langer is showing how what and how we think influences how we age.

She is, in particular, encouraging the practice of noticing. She would like us all to be less stuck believing we know what we know and more open to the nuance of what may be possible.

Dr. Langer argues, "The psychology of possibility first requires that we begin with the assumption that we do not know what we can do or become."

I think this is an excellent starting point for beginning a fitness program. If you have not been moving much or doing a light fitness program and are deciding to step it up by working with me or someone like me, you likely are uncertain about what you can accomplish.

Worse, you may feel like you can't do a more challenging fitness program because of an old injury or your perception of a lack of strength.

The truth is, you won't know until you try. It is critical to bring your thinking to the point of willingness, even the willingness to fail.

Failing is not final; it is part of the testing and discovering process.

Fitness is never one-size-fits-all. That is why I customize programs to the individual.

Dr. Langer reminds us that "Noticing variability is the key to mindfulness."

#agingwell #mindfulness #possibilities #fitnessjourney #mightyfit

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