NB: This post was originally authored and published by me on coachesquad.com, my online fitness website.
I didn’t realise this was a thing even with me in some areas of my life
Stinkin’ Shrinkin’ Thinkin’
I’ll call it a super limiting belief that instantly shuts down the heart and mind from taking those HARD steps that would ultimately lead to your TRANSFORMATION, in any area of your life this is needed.
Let’s funnel down to WEIGHTLOSS…
I was at a Cocktail over the weekend and just as things were winding down, this SUPER HOT FLY light skinned chick sashays into the Building in a pair of fitted jeans shorts with her beautiful leg tattoo in full view , tank top, sneakers and gold tinted short hair. Can’t even lie, I was STARING. Sister girl looked like a 7 COURSE MEAL, the kind the Lord promised to set before us in the presence of our enemies. I thought she was young and single only to realise she was OLDER than me and had 3 kids.
Shrinkin’ Stinkin’ Thinkin’ would be me saying
‘Hmmmmm she must have really great genes…’
‘They must be lepa in their family…’
‘I’m sure she didn’t give birth through CS hence the flat tummy …’
‘She probably had a cosmetic surgery and is even bleaching. No wonder she looks fake …’
‘Maybe she took slimming teas and drugs. She looks rich so I’m sure she took the one that truly works. Maybe she still takes it sef coz she can afford it…”
*insert your own Shrinkin’ Stinkin’ Thinking*
Once I think like that, I shut my mind down to possibilities like…
Just maybe, she is INTENTIONAL about her FITNESS and Diet…
Maybe she was previously fat and worked her butts off to look this good.
Maybe she’s DISCIPLINED…
And the BEST PART?
Maybe I TOO CAN HAVE THIS KIND OF RESULT IF I WORK HARD FOR IT…
You see, Shrinkin’ Stinkin’ Thinkin’ immediately shuts down your mind from thinking up the possibility that somehow, you too can have the physical body of your dreams, and that NOTHING is wrong with that dream. And once the Mind is shut down, that’s it. The situation doesn’t change cos you believe the odds are not in your favour so why bother?
Oh gosh I’m so guilty of this though not in the area of weightloss. I lost 30kg in 4months with clean eating and working out and have coached women in their thousands on weightloss too, so I’m a super believer in any weightloss possibility. But in the area of my finances, my motherhood, my marriage and more, I find myself sliding into the Shrinkin’ Stinkin’ Thinkin’ rut real quick, then I check myself.
Another Shrinkin’ Stinkin’ Thinkin’ happens with workouts. Usually when we see someone consistently workout while you THINK you don’t have the time to, it’s easy to think any of these thoughts…
‘ of course she has time. She is a stay at home mom… She runs her own biz so her time is flexible… Her job is easy. She doesn’t work in a bank like me… She doesn’t have kids… Her kids are super chilled unlike mine… Her house had space for her to workout… It’s cos she’s a fitness Coach… She has light while I have light issues… She doesn’t have a job that’s why… Her boyfriend signed her up in the gym for 1 year… I don’t have gym money… add…’
By the time you think and believe these, you shut down from stretching your mind to think up new and creative ways to Make workout a lifestyle. Then you just remain in that victim ‘My case is different’ mode.
No motivation. No drive. Just a truck load of excuses that sound valid in a mind laden with Shrinkin’ Stinkin’ Thinkin’ but stupid, ridiculous and laughable to those thinking logically.
Phew…
My sister, we all have to stretch into the things we NEED to do. Things are not always as easy as they seem, and don’t worry if something IS ACTUALLY RELATIVELY EASIER for someone in an area you STRUGGLE with, LIFE EVENS US OUT and there are MANY AREAS where that person will have it relatively TOUGHER than you do and would have to FIGHT and STRETCH if she is going to see results. I mean it’s only fair!!!
So I challenge you this week to check the areas where you exhibit the Shrinkin’ Stinkin’ Thinkin’. Love how my GMama Joyce Meyer challenges us all to THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT and then actively capture those thoughts like the Word says in 2 Cor 10v5 and force them into Godly empowering thinkin…
Then put in the WORK required for change to happen in your own life.
Now that’s something to take into the week and in all areas of your life.
Have a FRUITFUL week guys…
Love
CoachE’