Sometimes we need a little inspiration to keep going.
Below are some of the best health and fitness mantras to live by:
#1. There’s only one
This list is not in order but this is by far my all-time favorite health and fitness mantra.
You can switch clothing, buy a new house, or drive a different car but you cannot get a new body.
Surgeries and modern medicine can help enhance specific parts of your body, but they are incapable of getting you a new one.
Take good care of the only body you’ll ever have.
#2. Control your thoughts
Your thoughts have a greater impact on your personal well being then you may realize.
If you think you can’t, you probably won’t, but if you believe that you can, the possibilities are endless.
Stop, take a deep breath, and pay attention to your thoughts. If you notice that they’re on the negative side of the spectrum (they usually are), refrain them so that they are aligned with your goals.
#3. Take action
You won’t get anywhere without taking that first step.
Deciding to take that first step might be the hardest part of embarking on any new journey.
However, it is the most critical so you must decide that your time is now and take that first step towards living a healthier lifestyle.
#4. Be bold
Don’t wait around for the right time to take care of your health and fitness because you will never find it.
Perfect conditions are rare so instead of waiting for something that doesn’t exist, you have to start NOW regardless of the circumstances.
You should apply this in every aspect of your life. Don’t wait for the perfect timing to start a business, say “I love you,” visit a friend, etc.
Take action because an idea is worth less than the paper it’s written on if that’s as far as you take it.
#5. Don’t sit around
Very few things in life are less productive than sitting on the couch in front of a tv screen.
Cut out as much “couch potato” time as possible from your life and use it to improve your health and fitness.
You could also use the added time to work on your business, spend quality time with family, or to study yourself.
#6. Keep moving forward
On your path to healthy living, you’ll have good days, bad days, and days that are “just OK.”
You are unique, not perfect. Nobody’s perfect in this life, so don’t get down on yourself when you make a mistake — keep marching on.
Once you take that first step, the key is to keep making progress… striving for perfection is the quickest way to failure.
#7. Be fearless
I have never met a person who can predict the future.
You may doubt your abilities to reach certain goals but you don’t know what you can achieve until you give yourself the chance to try.
Don’t predict failure before giving yourself a chance to succeed.
#8. Be accountable
Have you noticed how “tomorrow” never arrives? It just stays frozen in the future somewhere that can’t be reached.
You can only live in the NOW. Don’t get caught up in waiting for a specific date to arrive to start working on your fitness.
Be accountable and stop thinking about it… just do it!
#9. Change your habits
This is one of my favorite quotes because it can be applied to all aspects of life.
It takes professional painters hundreds of brush strokes to paint a door but they must do it one brushstroke at a time to get it done.
If your goal is to run a marathon but you’ve never run a mile, you can start out by walking a mile, then running one, until you eventually train your body to be able to withstand running a marathon.
The great pyramids were built one stone at a time.
Making lots of tiny changes to your daily eating and exercising habits can make a huge difference in your life.
#10. Do something new
If you’ve always been overweight you cannot expect to lose weight by doing the same things you’ve always done.
In order to reach new goals, you have to start doing new things.
Don’t try to do it all at once… Remember that making small changes eventually leads to large results.
#11. Get going
I like this quote because it keeps you in the present.
Each day you should wake up and work with what you have. Don’t worry about what you could do if you had “XYZ.”
Focus on what you can accomplish with the tools that you already possess.
#13. Control your thoughts
Professional athletes are masters at pushing their bodies to the limit.
They accomplish this by not allowing their minds to set limitations on what they can or can’t do.
Work on mastering this art and you’ll always be in tip-top shape.
#14. Be above average
Most people sit around contemplating what they want to do but never do anything about it.
Be above average and work on your health and fitness.
If you don’t push yourself to get started, no one will.
#15. Reach the finish line
I love this quote.
It should become your new motto for life.
I know we’re all moving forward and sometimes it’s exhausting.
Trying to be a parent, business owner, friend, lover, enthusiast all at the same time can make anyone tired.
But you can’t let being tired get in the way of reaching your end goal.
#16. See the light
Creating a healthy lifestyle is not easy.
Being fit isn’t easy.
When times get so hard that giving up seems like the only option you must look deep within yourself to see the light.
Don’t settle for anything less than you deserve just because things get tough.
#17. Celebrate
This is a great health and fitness mantra — especially if you previously considered yourself a couch potato.
Studies show that only about 23 percent of American adults get the recommended amount of exercise per week.
Do something simple like walking half a mile each day and celebrate the fact that you’re exercising more than a majority of Americans.
#18. Be selfish
Love yourself above all else.
When push comes to shove most people do what they believe is in their best interest except when it comes to health and fitness.
Everyone wants to be fit, but for some odd reason, most people don’t care enough about their health to actually do something about it.
Be selfish by putting yourself and your health above all else.
#19. Push yourself
Nobody can learn how to walk without pushing themselves past their limits.
Babies learn how to walk by getting up and trying again until they learn how to control their balance and stay up on their two feet.
You will never know how much you’re capable of until you take that extra step.
Stop limiting yourself — push past your comfort zone and see what you’re truly capable of.
#20. Go for it
Do you think Michael Jordan became the greatest basketball player ever by sitting around the house watching others play?
Success doesn’t come to those who wait — you must go and get it.
If you want to be fit, you must work on that goal in order to achieve it… it won’t happy by itself.
#21. Pay attention
Not all calories are created equal.
Don’t think that just because something says “lower calories” that it’s healthy for you.
Take the veil off and start doing some research. Don’t buy just because some label tells you it’s low calorie.
#22. Stop it
When it comes to health and fitness mantras this one should be near the top.
You won’t get anywhere in life by making excuses so just stop it already.
Grab all of your excuses and toss them in the trash — when you feel like a new one is coming toss it aside and move on.
#23. Shock everyone
The moment you start looking healthier and more vibrant people will notice.
They’ll want to know what your “secret” is and even though you shouldn’t put much stock into their opinions it’s always nice to get noticed for the right things.
Continue improving — give them a real shock and enjoy every moment.
#24. Be protective
Have you ever heard the saying you are what you eat?
Protect your health by putting the right things in your body.
Recent studies have found that eating unhealthy foods contributes directly to the biological and emotional states associated with depression.
There’s no good reason for putting junk in your body.
#25. Set goals
I don’t agree with some of the things Bob Proctor teaches, but this quote is amazing.
In order to achieve something great, you must set goals that are outside of your comfort zone.
When it comes to your health and fitness don’t sell yourself short. Aim high and reach even higher.
#26. Don’t stop
This is definitely a health and fitness mantra to live by.
When you set your health and fitness goals you should do so with a mindset never giving up.
Don’t let anything or anyone get in the way of you and your goals.
#27. Abandon your comfort zone
I came up with this quote the other day while answering some questions on Reddit — there was a guy asking if he should start smoking again because quitting was affecting his social life.
Right after “hell no!” that was the second thing that popped into my mind.
To quit any unhealthy habit you must step out of your comfort zone and
Stepping out of your comfort zone is also crucial for starting a new business, reaching new goals, and being a better version of yourself.
Useful resources:
The 4-Hour Body by Tim Ferris
Tim Ferris rose to fame after publishing his first book “The 4-hour workweek,” but I believe this is by far his best work.
This book is jam-packed with incredible information on how to transform your body through healthy eating habits and exercise.
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk
I haven’t finished reading this book yet and feel that it might be a bit too “scientific” for some, but it’s a must-read for anyone interested in understanding and treating traumatic stress.
Clean by Alejandro Junger
I believe that the human body has the power to heal itself of any sickness, and try my best to stay away from pills and modern medicine which is why this book resonated with me the moment I picked it up.
Note: I have nothing against medicine and believe that in some instances it is necessary, but I personally prefer to avoid them whenever possible.
As for the book… “Clean is a medically proven program designed to be easily incorporated into our busy schedule while providing all the practical tools necessary to support and rejuvenate our bodies.”
Why dieting usually doesn’t work by Sandra Aamodt
This is a Ted Talk that explains why most people fail to follow through with their diets.
I recommend you watch it to better understand how dieting works and how to avoid failing at it.