Motivating Yourself With Negativity

I get that many people need positive support and reinforcement in difficult times and during trying events.  But if most notions of balance is true, then I need to motivate myself with negativity - and balance will come out of that in equal amounts of positive benefits. 

By way of example, here is a list of what I think would be a great set of activities to "nega-reinforce" for personal fitness:

1. Always Use Stairs.  People in enclosed spaces are scary, smell bad (from BO to too much cologne), and have bulky equipment they need to transport (strollers+babies to wheelchairs / scooters).  Benefit: Physical exercise (See Livestrong - Colories burned stair climbing)

2. Avoid Working Out Next to Pretty People.  Placing yourself next to people that are attractive in a workout location is surrounding yourself with way too much positive energy, creates distractions, and zaps you of the nega-reinforcement you need for higher calories burns and muscle build.  Find a location away from these people -- you more than likely will have to use outdated free weights in the 'back room' or unused equipment like the row machine.  Benefits include full focus and increased heart rate, and calorie burn.  Also, row machines can burn calories (Row Machine Calories Burned).

3. Angry Eat With Purpose.  Focusing on the some negative anger is a great time to eat.  But for this to work you need to focus on the anger the entire time - NOT on the positive feeling the food is replacing.  I also recommend attempting to eat your most hated foods at this time - they help in keeping your anger focused.  Benefits: With the applied focus you will reduce portion size of meal and most hated foods are usually the most healthy (I hate broccoli so I may eat some at this time). Eat-Something-You-Hate

4. Lift Weights Angrily.  Focus on your best friend that just broke your new car, or slept with your girlfriend/boyfriend.  Harness that anger and lift heavy weights until it hurts (maybe in hopes of kicking their ass later).  Benefits: Great workout and reduction of anger after...at least for a little while.

5.   Workout in Dirty Clothes.  That's right, dirty clothes (not too smelly if its a small area and in public -- that's just wrong!!).  By feeling, looking, and smelling bad, you don't feel good about yourself.  Harness this negativity in the attempt to look better post workout. Workout in front of a mirror during this time for added nega-reinforcement.  Benefits: Increase in energy to get more time and aerobics in your workouts.  Also, much like working out next to positive looking people (#2 above) you will prevent reduction in calorie burn by false feeling of "I already look good enough" -- P.s. you don't!!