Hey friends! Happy 2017! I have officially and happily survived the holidays – taking up snowboarding was such a fantastic idea. Change your mindset and push your limits in 2017, too.

Do you know that the body achieves what the mind believes? It’s true. Beliefs are what we tell ourselves about a given topic and they are influenced by many factors including family, friends, partner, society, and so on.

Beliefs are the key to success and failure. And this applies to all areas of our lives.

How many times have you told yourself:

Myth #1: I have bad genes, so it’s impossible to lose weight!
Limits exist only in your mind.

Myth #2: I’m not an athletic person, I could never run a marathon!
Your body can do anything! It’s your brain you have to convince.

Myth #3: I don’t like to eat healthy because the food has no taste!
Pssst, you already know that’s nonsense.

Myth #4: I just don’t have the will power to lose weight.
Weight Loss is not a physical challenge, it’s a mental one.

Myth #5: I’m so NOT a morning person, I could never run or workout before work.
Don’t limit your challenges. Challenge your limits.

These are all beliefs – things you have TOLD yourself are true-imaginary rules you have formed in your mind. Truth is you have the ability to change those “rules” right now! Why have you put yourself in a box and limited your capabilities and potential? STOP doing it right away. Change your mindset today and push your limits.

A few years ago I was having trouble fitting in a workout after work (I did not run much back then). Usually, after work the gym is super crowded and I could never get on the equipment I wanted, so I decided that before work – very early in the morning – was my best option. This meant I had to get up at 5:45 am.

At first I was like “That is way too early and kind of miserable!” – that was my BELIEF.

Then I decided to change my belief about waking up so early. Is it early or is that just what I’m telling myself? Early compared to what? People get up at all different hours of the day and night to go to work. So, I’m not the ONLY person in the world getting up at that time! It’s only ridiculous if I tell myself it is. There are other people around the world trying to get in shape that have to fit in a workout before work too and they are getting up, so why can’t I?

This shift in mindset – my new BELIEF – made a world of difference. I started to just accept it as a part of my routine – something that was necessary to reach my goals. It wasn’t a big deal or something impossible because I was no longer telling myself those things. If it ever came up in a conversation about how I got up early and went to the gym, most people would say, “WOW, I could never do that!” – their BELIEF. But in truth, they could do they if they changed their belief about it. Because they had programmed themselves to think “I’m not a morning person”, they never will be unless they decide not to believe that anymore.

Simple as that We are what we believe.

So what if YOU told yourself from today …

Fact 1#: I AM capable of anything!
YES, you are! And so much more!

Fact 2#: I AM a morning person and 5:45 AM is just when I wake up!
You are designed to thrive, not just survive.

Fact 3#: I CAN lose this weight and become healthy again!
Mindset is everything.

Fact 4#: I CAN run a marathon!
You bet you can!

Fact 5#: I CAN be happy and healthy all the time!
That’s the spirit.

How to change a belief, you ask? Sure!

1. DECIDE to change a belief that is no longer making you happy. As simple as that. It’s really like magic and the shift can happen right away!

2. BELIEVE. The shift must be done with absolute certainty. You must be all in!

3. REINFORCE this new belief. Each time you make it to the gym or eat a healthy meal or run a few km, stop and recognize that and say to yourself “See, I CAN do it! I AM a morning person! I AM able to eat healthy! I AM able to lose weight! I AM able to run.

Believe in yourself and the POWER you have to make anything possible. And always remember “The body achieves what the mind believes!”

My New Year’s Resolution is very simple this time: 1) running Madeira Island Ultra Trail (85K), 2) climbing a mountain, and 3) be HAPPY all the time.

Stay healthy and be happy!
Xoxo Cris