[sidebar]Researchers put 927 athletes (defined as people involved in training or competitions for an average of six years) and 931 non-athletes to the test by having them answer questions designed to assess their optimism, perseverance, and resilience. The results: athletes were mentally tougher than their no-sport counterparts. The researchers say it has to do with the amount of time athletes spend practicing or working out—when you’re paid to be fit, they say, you need to have the right determined mind-set to get from one workout to the next. So what does this mean for those of us not endorsed by Nike? Mind over matter isn’t limited to the major leagues, says Prevention fitness expert Chris Freytag. “I tell my clients and class participants all the time that we all have an athlete in us. Maybe not the stereotypical athlete you may imagine, but if you can get over the hump and stay consistent with exercise, you start to think like an athlete,” she says. Here’s how to up the mental toughness in your life: Work out your willpower. Regardless of where you fall on the fitness spectrum, you need willpower to make and sustain change, says Freytag. “The good news is that willpower is like a muscle; with practice, our capacity for willpower can be increased. The more you practice making healthy changes in your life, the easier it will become to stick to them,” she says. (Get—and stay—motivated with these 31 ways to never skip another workout.) Realize your thoughts are more powerful than your mood. Women experience an average of 13 negative thoughts about their bodies each day, while 97% admit to having at least one “I hate my body” moment, according to The Dove Campaign. “Negative self-talk is a defense mechanism and it weakens your whole body,” says Freytag. “Instead, gather several positive mantras or sayings (such as these) that you relate to. Write them down, read them several times daily, and even say them aloud. By practicing positive thinking, you will be more apt to take better care of yourself and feel hopeful and optimistic.” Allow yourself to fail. “Think of all the moments you’ve seen your favorite team lose. Or you’ve watched an Olympic athlete miss the gold medal by a second. Those are devastating failures that athletes have learned to use to re-fuel their desire to try again,” says Freytag. “Think about that and next time you hit a wall or feel like you screwed up. Reframe your thinking to believe you can do better the next time! Go forward and don’t give up,” she says. More from Prevention: The Best Fitness Goals For 2014
