Have a hard time sticking to your workouts? Need an extra boost of motivation? Then you should try ACT, a new form of therapy that teaches you to sync your habits with your goals. Also known as acceptance and commitment therapy, it addresses your commitment to making changes and boosts your ability to deal with negative feelings. Let’s see how ACT works and why it matters to you:
What Is ACT?
This form of therapy has been around since 1982, but came to the public attention only recently. Its goal is to teach people to live and behave in ways that support their personal goals. ACT encourages them to accept their feelings and thoughts, and still commit to change. Its aim is to maximize your potential for a rich and meaningful life.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can be applied to all areas of your life, such as your career, personal relationships, and goal setting. Basically, it teaches you the skills needed for dealing with painful thoughts and reaching your goals. For example, if you’re anxious about going to the gym, you may use ACT to cope with your feelings and achieve weight loss, improved fitness, or other objectives you have in mind.
ACT and Fitness
More and more fitness experts are recommending ACT to their clients. This therapy can bring you closer to your goals and boost your motivation. A recent study conducted on a group of women has found that those who attended just one ACT session were able to cycle harder for longer periods of time than usual. They also reported greater satisfaction after finishing their workout.
Whether you want to start an exercise routine, lose weight, or break through plateaus, ACT can help. This innovative therapy makes it easier to stick to your workouts and build a better body. To learn more about ACT, search for a therapist in your area or read books on this topic, such as Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life by Steven Hayes, PhD.
