Finding willpower

3 minute read

Don’t miss Ali’s debut book The Wellfulness Project: A manual for mindful living and practical guide to creating a more conscious relationship with the things we eat, the spaces we spend time in, the way we move our bodies and the stories we tell ourselves – order here.

I’ve been yo-yo dieting since I was 14. From starving myself on the 5:2 diet, to the unappetising Atkins; I’ve forced down gritty kale juice and wanted to cry through fitness bootcamps; all in an attempt to shrink myself. Yet, I never once felt well inside. Did life have to be like this – dreading the gym, depriving myself, obsessing over calories? For my own sanity and health, I knew things had to change.

The irony is that we all know what we need to do to be fit and healthy. Moving more while eating whole, nourishing foods is a simple equation. But few of us consider what we need to think. I’d dedicated years to rigid fitness and diet plans – but, the one thing I never factored into my health goals? Mindset. Think of all the obstacles our minds throw at us – temptation, emotional eating, excuses… It never ends.

Change your thinking

So, what if we could truly change what our minds want? Imagine how much more enjoyable life would be if we could appreciate a biscuit (without wanting another five) and innately look forward to that great feeling after a sweaty workout. I began to question my beliefs while qualifying to become a life coach. Working with clients on their own health and body confidence, I know first-hand how changing thoughts can powerfully impact how we feel and act in situations.

I started to implement my own mindset changes, and began to see results. It was during this ‘Aha!’ period that I came up with WillPower – my revolutionary approach to helping others get holistically healthy, inside and out, designed to change your mindset to create an easy, enjoyable, healthy lifestyle. No pain, all gain.

Without the deafening guilt, I am beginning to hear the positive impact of my decisions on my body – I view morning workouts as indulgent ‘me-time’. And if I miss one, it’s a restful gain, it’s no longer a missed opportunity. I am learning what it feels like to trust and listen to my body.

Thoughts of deprivation hit notes of purest discordance that I no longer want to listen to. Instead, I’ve started to focus on enjoyment.

What’s your goal?

Take five minutes to make your first small, exciting step towards a new lifestyle. Start by answering these goal-setting questions:

• What changes do you want to make to your health?
• How do you want to feel in your body? These are your goals – not figures on a scale.
• What obstacles are going to stand in your way, and how will you get over them?
• What steps will you need to take to achieve your goal?
• How can you inject more enjoyment into these first steps towards your goal?

Ali’s debut book The Wellfulness Project will be published December 26th 2019 by Aster. Follow Ali at @AliRoff and visit her website aliroff.com to find out more about her and her wellness retreats.

Image: Laura Doherty