It is with great pleasure that I make reference in this week's article to my team buddies of Poison Ivy: Carol Dougherty, Nicola O'Connor and Thais Guiterrez, all of whom participated in the Fusion Adventure Race 2011. For those of you who missed the previous article in the Woman Express, Poison Ivy is the first all-female group to place in the top ten position, placing seventh, in the male dominated adventure race that includes hiking/hashing select mountains in Trinidad and Tobago as well as completing a series of teamwork and problem solving activities. As mothers and working individuals themselves they carry high the banner of 'fitness for life'.

Without a doubt being able to exercise throughout your lifetime is not an easy course to steer. There are numerous research studies on reasons why persons drop out or do not adhere to an exercise programme with 'lack of time' being the number one reason. Other factors are social support, access to facilities, activity history, psychological traits, knowledge, attitudes and belief and injury. Of these there is one critical factor that stands as a barrier and could prevent us from exercise participation, however it can also lead us all to 'the path of least resistance' and that is our attitude or our mindset.

Award-winning motivational speaker, mentor and author of Attitude is Everything for Success: Say It, Believe it, Receive It, Keith D Harrell better known as "Dr Attitude" of the US, quoted in an article to fitness professionals that "To make a lasting behaviour change, you must first change your mindset. If your clients never change their attitude or mindsets about exercise their actions will continually fluctuate between diligence and quitting. Until exercise becomes a priority to them, an excuse to quit will always come up." (Harrell, 2003). I had the benefit of listening first hand to Mr Harrell's mastery in motivational speaking at my 1st Idea Health and Fitness Conference in 2004 in San Diego, California. I have not missed one since. Sadly Harrell passed on in 2010, but will never be forgotten. Here are some of his tips for changing our mindsets:

1. Acknowledge the need for change, be a part of the solution, not the problem.

2. Create ownership of the goal. Have a vision for the new mindset.

3. Break the desired goals into small increments. Start with the easiest part for continued success.

4. Be patient. True change comes from within.

5. Seek out support systems.

6. Celebrate each successful step, no matter how small.

My dear Poison Ivy mates inspire me and act as true exemplars to fitness for life. When asked what were their top three reasons for adhering to exercise participation, here is what each had to say: Carol, British mother of three and active community member: the availability of time, being personally motivated and continual goal setting". Nicola, working mother of two: exercise clears her mind; gives her "me time" and she believes in good health and setting an example for her kids. Thais, lead export and marketing coordinator: enjoys the camaraderie and companionship of others, loves to try different types of exercise regimes and treasures the "freedom and time for myself to get away from the routine of daily life". As for me, apart from loving exercise and all the other stated reasons I believe that I was meant to be writing this article to share with you the joys of exercise. From the inception of fitness into my life, there was and is no turning back. I have recognised my path and my responsibilities.

Whilst I cannot say which mas band Poison Ivy will be playing with, I can tell you that we are working out arduously, as can be seen in the pictures on this page, to the tunes of Machel's "Mr Fete", Kerwin's "Bacchanalist" and Patrice's "Freak"!!!!.

I leave you with a quote from Dr Attitude himself: "The attitude you choose today determines the success you have tomorrow. Remember attitude is everything".

Your comments or questions:

tenillegonzales@hotmail.com

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Next Week: "Boot-Camp Buddies"!!!!!!

Ref: Harrell KD (2003). Attitude is Everything. Ideal Health

and Fitness Source