They are the negative voices in your head that tell you that you can’t. A limiting belief is a belief that constrains our progress. Just by believing them, we do not think, do or say the things that they inhibit. Limiting beliefs are about ourselves, our potential, our identity. The beliefs may also be about other people and the world in general.
I think of a limiting belief as a fear monster. He looks like Jabba the Hut from The Empire Strikes Back and he just gets bigger and more disgusting by devouring our fears and insecurities, such bullshit. The only way to beat this bastard is to move past him swiftly. It’s like when you have to jump in a pool and you are terrified that it may be cold so you feel it out and get in inch by inch….I say cannonball the fuck out of it, quick, swift and painless.
Walk with me for a minute and I will explain what I mean.
As we grow, we pick up certain beliefs from our family, society and the world around us. We learn quickly what we “can’t” do “shouldn’t” do or what we “aren’t” capable of. We don’t take risks. If we don’t think we can do something we don’t even try. We box ourselves in and close ourselves off and we don’t even realize it because as time passes, we get more and more distracted with what we feel we “have to”. We are closed off from potential joy, but we are too busy to question it. We have imposed our own limits on ourselves based on the fears or beliefs of others….Re read that last sentence please….okay now read it again. Still not sure what a limiting belief is? I will share with you a few of mine
I am not cut out for college. I can’t pay attention. I was a special ed student. I am happy waitressing.
I can’t make it on that tv show. Those people are real athletes, I am just a mom who likes to workout.
I can’t quit my job, I need that pension. Everyone hates their job its part of life.
My body isn’t really good. Its disproportionate, I have a flat chest and a big ass. No way can I ever get on stage. I am not a bodybuilder, I am just a mom.
I can’t write a book, I don’t have that much potential. People who write have really cool things to say and they are really good spellers who don’t curse. Count me out.
Our limiting beliefs are more than likely so old and so familiar that we don’t even recognize what they are? However, I promise you that they absolutely impact our lives.
Stop and think……what are your limiting beliefs? If we can’t identify them we can’t work on them.
Let’s identify some limiting beliefs that are specific to nutrition and fitness
1. What is your ideal approach to getting in shape?
2. What have you tried in the past to get the results you want?
3. What exercises and nutrition strategies do you feel are important?
4. Do you believe you can be happy with your appearance? Why or why not?
Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
1. Isolate the belief. First consider what the belief is that is limiting you. …
2. Seek the source. Think back to when you first had the belief. …(what’s the root)
3. Recognize the falsehood. … (what is the lie?)
4. Form empowering beliefs. … (I am statements)
5. Start ‘as if’ … (open to possibility, put it out there, manifest success)
6. Create evidence of success. (list the times you nailed it)
HERE IS MY NUMBER ONE FAVORITE METHOD TO OVERCOMING A LIMITING BELIEF; It’s almost too simple to believe that it will actually works. We attract whatever energy we put out there right? So if we constantly think we can’t or we are afraid then we won’t…..REPLACE THAT SHIT! FIX YOUR LANGUAGE…don’t attract fear, attract success…just put it out there. Say it out loud. Hence my drabble on an on about affirmation statements. This is a practice I use daily.
I want to be wealthy becomes I am wealthy
I wish I could quit my job becomes I am in the process of quitting my job
I wish I could run that race becomes I am running a race this spring, I will finish
If only I were thin becomes, I am strong and capable of achieving my best self.
When we say ‘I wish’ or ‘if only’ we are basically saying that we can’t which is bullshit. Why are we implying that we can’t when we have never really tried? Sometimes we lie to ourselves and say we have tried but we haven’t really if we quit at the first resistance.
Again, I implore you to start journaling. We need to figure out what holds us back. Sometimes we don’t know where to start. Start with a cup of tea and the guidelines above and start to write.