Get Fit and Reduce Stress

Get Fit and Reduce Stress
Including 6 steps for overcoming barriers to getting financially and physically fit in these trying times

No, we have not found a way to earn money by working out! If that existed I would have been a multi-millionaire a long time ago. Not many of us are immune from the financial stress that has rolled across the country like a tidal wave in the last 60 days. I have experienced it myself. What I have learned through the trials and tribulations is that in times of uncertainty and extreme stress, collapsing one's focus back to the basics, and doing those basics very well, is critical to getting through. Getting back to financial basics is not-unlike renewing your pledge to get and stay in great shape: It requires you to have a daily discipline about your practices with money. Save more than you spend. Develop a budget and stick to it. Look for hidden assets that you can sell or put to use generating some cash. Put off major investments in things you don't need (except, of course, that new Suunto watch from NavySEALs.com!).

Re-focusing on your fitness in times of stress is a great way to stay healthy and keep the stress from making matters worse. Additionally, the process of getting back to fitness basics is very similar to financial basics, and you can do both simultaneously for great effect. Have you got a gym membership that you don't use? Are you disciplined with your workout regimen, and are you receiving the results you seek? Now is the time to re-focus your energy on great fitness, and in the process look better, feel better and stay motivated. A great fitness program requires constant daily attention, and like a sound financial plan, requires a positive mental attitude and self image to achieve the success and longevity required to make it work. Another key point is that great fitness can be almost free when you know how to train functionally. Most SEALs have leaned on CrossFit while deployed, using the most spartan of fitness tools, such as ammo cans filled with sand and sand bags for weights. If you are new to CrossFit, we offer an online coaching program called SEAL Fit(tm) that has some awesome workouts, coupled with access to our coaching staff for questions and customizing your training plan. There are many resources available to you once you make the mental commitment to ramp things up, get fit and reduce stress!

Here is a painful truth: if, even though you have great intentions, you tend to sabotage your finances, then most likely you sabotage your health as well. These sabotaging thoughts and beliefs are subconscious patterns typically planted at a very early age by our family and societal interactions. Overcoming them can be difficult, however not impossible by any stretch.

Here is how to start:
1. First get a crystal clear vision of the fitness (financial) goals you wish to embody
2. Write this vision down with as much clarity and descriptive terms as possible
3. Either draw a picture of you in this state, or cut a picture out of Men's Fitness and paste a head-shot on it (I know this sounds corny, but it works!)
4. Develop 5-10 solid affirmations which support your vision, such as: "I am in perfect health and my fitness is at a peak level"..."I look better than I have ever looked in my life"..."I attract all the resources I need to be financially independent" - etc.
5. Review your vision statement / picture daily and attach real emotion to it. Read your affirmations twice a day, (for best results after 5-10 minute a meditation session)
6. Begin to take immediate and focused action toward achieving your fitness (financial) goals

What happens with this approach is that you start to martial the virtually untapped resources of your subconscious mind to support you in achieving your goals, rather than work against you. It will take 30 days or so to re-program the subconscious mind, but you will start to see things line up to support you. Some great resources that we recommend our SEAL Fit Camp attendees are to read "Think and Grow Rich" by Napolean Hill - a perennial classic on developing a success mind-set and behavior pattern. John Assarof's book "The Answer" is geared toward business, but has some cutting edge knowledge on this process as well.

We are here to help you at NavySEALs.com if we can be of service in these trying economic times! Focus on the basics, and do them well. That is what we try to do.

Sincerely,
Mark Divine, Founder, NavySEALs.com