It has been said that the quality of one’s life is in direct proportion to the quality of the questions one asks. While the quality of the questions you ask is crucial, I believe it’s how these questions get answered that will ultimately determine the quality of your life. Self-help expert Anthony Robbins puts it this way: “Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers,” I would argue that this theory works both for the individual asking questions of themselves and outwardly toward others.

If you are unhappy with how you look and feel; if you’re not seeing your efforts to lose weight and get in shape rewarded, then I suggest you look at what type of questions you’re asking.

If you are engaged in an exercise and nutrition program, then it may seem logical to look at the design of the program to see what’s wrong.  Make no mistake about it, taking a critical look at your program is important; it’s just not the first thing you should do.  I would suggest that you first take a long, hard look at the type questions you’re asking - especially the questions you’re asking yourself.

My experience as a personal trainer and physical therapist has taught me the importance of asking the right questions. Over the years, I’ve seen how different people facing similar obstacles can respond in completely different ways to those challenges, and as a result, experience completely different outcomes. I used to think it was due to a difference in attitudes; those that did the best had the best attitudes. So I would encourage and challenge my patients and clients who were struggling to get the results they desired to look at their attitudes.

Even though I meant well, I really didn’t know how to help them change their attitudes, however. That is, until I started listening to how they were talking - specifically the type of questions they were asking. I found something very interesting: everyone was asking “what if” questions, albeit in very different ways.

“What if” questions have the power to propel you to your destiny or keep you stuck right where you are - living a life less than what you were designed to live. Less than what you want to live. What if I fail again? What if I can’t keep the weight off? What if I can’t change the way I am eating? These are examples of poor quality “what if” questions. They focus on possible negative outcomes and not the positive outcomes the individual desires. What if this time I finally achieve my goals? What if I keep the weight off how will my life change? What benefits will I experience if I change my eating habits? Now these are examples of positive result driven questions.

So, in closing, I want you to ask yourself these few questions:

• What if I finally achieve lasting weight loss? How will my life change?
• What if I improve my appearance? How will that make me feel about myself?
• What if I increase my energy levels? How will that change the quality of my life?
• What if I develop a positive outlet for my stress? How will that affect my health?

Remember, ask better questions and you’ll get better answers.  Ask questions that focus on the positive benefits of achieving your goals and watch your life change.

If you would like to find out how to achieve that positive focus, combined with a customized fitness and nutrition program, then please consider Fitness Together of East Orlando’s Summer Kick Start Program. It’s an eight-week program designed to provide accelerated results. Call the studio at 407-208-0620 to learn more about this and all our programs.

Article by Glenn Beard, PT