A growth mindset – the belief that one’s abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work – plays a crucial role in supporting fitness and wellbeing. Embracing this mindset transforms life’s challenges into opportunities for growth, and can help foster a resilient attitude towards health and fitness goals.

In the realm of fitness, a growth mindset encourages individuals to view setbacks, such as missed workouts or plateaus, as temporary hurdles rather than insurmountable obstacles. This perspective can motivate continuous effort and learning, allowing you to develop new strategies and adapt your routines to overcome challenges.

For example, rather than feeling defeated by one poor performance in a workout, those with a growth mindset might analyse what went wrong, seek advice, and adjust their approach for better future outcomes.

Dr Alia Crum, an American psychologist, and her team conducted research with over 80 hotel workers, divided into two groups:

• The intervention group were told that the work they do is good exercise and satisfies established recommendations for an active lifestyle. They were given specific examples of how their daily activities – vacuuming, changing linen and cleaning bathrooms – burns calories and contributes to their overall physical health.

• The control group received no special training or instructions.

Four weeks later, the results were compelling. The intervention group showed significant decreases in weight, waist-to-hip ratio, blood pressure, body fat and body mass index compared to the control group. Importantly, neither group reported any changes in their exercise routine or eating habits outside of work. Both groups kept doing exactly the same job they’d been doing, but were now experiencing very different fitness outcomes.

Our thoughts can impact our experiences

As Dr Crum said, “Objective benefits depend on not just what we’re doing, but how we think about what we’re doing.” Essentially, how we think about a situation can impact what we experience from that situation – this is what Psychology describes as ‘framing’.

Everyone is framing all the time. I see it happening in workshops within the audience; people are continually framing the session in a variety of different ways, and I can see it on their faces. The person who perceives the workshop as a threat to their ego/knowledge/status; the person who sees the training as pointless; and the person who frames it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

In most situations, framing doesn’t change the situation, however it can change how we experience it, and whether or not we learn, improve or benefit from it as a result.

Positive framing through taking a growth mindset approach fosters a positive relationship with wellbeing, recognising that progress takes time and that small, consistent efforts lead to significant improvements. This shift in thought helps to combat frustration and the discouragement that can arise from slow progress or setbacks, enabling commitment to long-term health goals.

By adopting this mindset, individuals can enhance their resilience, motivation and overall approach to fitness and wellbeing. This mindset not only supports the achievement of specific fitness goals, but also contributes to a healthier, more balanced, and fulfilling lifestyle.