Its not bad genetics, lack of time, or a penchant for fine wines.
Almost all of these factors can be overcome, and weve written about them on Lifehacker.
How did you react?
Well, you probably felt the immediate need to interject.
This is stubbornness: thoughtlesslyadhering to your default beliefswithout question.
Its embarrassing to admit that actions you endorsedand may have even credited your success withcould be wrong.
So youchoosenot to challenge them.
But what does stubbornnessnot challenging your default statehave to do with fitness?
For example, some people make better progress when they eat breakfast.Others do better if they skip breakfast.
Instead, you stick to what you know and take the easy route of blaming genetics or laziness.
On the way to the gym, there is a severe traffic jam.
Youre frustrated, pissed off.
The act of dwelling is absolutely toxic to making fitness progress.
You focus on mistakesthings you cant changerather than looking atwhat you’re free to change in the future.
With this frame of mind, fitness isa fixed mindset.
The opposite of this toxic default is compassion.
Shrug it off and make a run at continue your day like nothing happened.
I take care of myself.
Ive put myself out there.
Why is this so hard?
How about that guy at the end of the bar, I said.
He keeps looking at you.
Not my bang out.
How do you know?
Have you tried a dating site?
I would never date someone I met online!
How about a change of scene?
Your company has offices all over maybe try living in another city?
…
Claire doesnt really want a man.
She wants the right man.
She wants a soul-mate.
Specifically, a soul-mate from her zip code.
I didnt tell her this, because Claire has the capacity for sudden violence.
She complains about being alone, even though her rules have more or less guaranteed shell stay that way.
She has built a wall between herself and her goal.
A wall made of conditions and expectations.
Is it possible that youve built a similar wall?
Ive had many interactions with people of this similar mindset who want to change.
To them, anything outside of the default picture-perfect healthy lifestyle is a failure.
In this case, stubbornness reduces ones ability to be flexible.
Quit Being Stubborn About Your Health
So how do you stop being so stubborn?
Well, remember that stubbornness is the knee-jerk reaction to protect your existing way of life and self-perception.
You have to accept that you are, from time to time, stubborn, andbe mindful of it.
Catch yourself the next time you irrationally choose your default thought patterns.
Youll feel a flurry of emotions that fuel your certainty of being correct.
Remember this feeling, and be aware the next time it happens.
Is it really worth getting upset about if youarewrong?
During one of the times that youarewrong, admit it.
Realize that you should feel a sense of accomplishment, not shame; by challenging your default thoughts.
This might seem incredibly hard at first, but like anything else, it takes practice.
Youll start to reap the benefits of being less stubborn.
