I saw a few pictures of a client getting their raised-garden beds ready for springtime.

Around these parts, in Pennsylvania, USA, the weather typically warms up in April.

This morning, I’m thinking about my garden.

Not a physical garden, although we usually grow chocolate mint, basil, and a few other spices in terra cotta pots. Actually I’m talking about the garden in your mind.

Every single action begins with a thought. Your conscious mind is like the captain of a ship, steering and directing your thoughts and actions. 

Your conscious mind ponders whether you should order a banana split for lunch or go with the grilled chicken wrap.  

On the other hand, your unconscious mind is like a mischievous crew member, secretly influencing your decisions and behavior without you even realizing it. 

Your unconscious, autonomic nervous system controls all "automatic" body functions, such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, sweating, and digestion.

But a thought can also be unconscious. Your mind processes a tremendous amount of information each second, much of which is outside of your conscious awareness.

This means that you can have thoughts, feelings, and impulses that are not immediately available to your conscious mind.

For example, you might have a sudden feeling of unease when you meet someone new, but you can't quite put your finger on why you feel that way.

Or you might have a dream that contains symbols and images that seem strange; however, you can't consciously explain why.

These experiences suggest that your mind is capable of processing information at an unconscious level, and that these unconscious thoughts can influence your conscious thoughts and behaviors.

In fact, many psychologists believe that a significant amount of your mental life takes place at a subconscious level, and that exploring these unconscious thoughts and feelings can help you to better understand your behavior.

But make no mistake about it, any action begins with a thought.

Whether it's the choice to press the letters on your computer keyboard, or the actions of making it a great day, your thoughts matter. And that's the best part.

You can shape your mental imagery based on the input that's all around you.

How to Create Positive Thoughts

Positive input encourages positive thoughts.

Negative input encourages negative thoughts.

See, your mind is just like a garden. If you fill your head with positive thoughts and dreams, you will live a positive and fulfilled life, like a garden filled with full warm sunshine and beautiful flowers.

If you fill it with negative thoughts, your mind will be overgrown by weeds and you may be more likely to live a scarcity-minded, cynical life.

Every day you have the ability to choose your thoughts. Never forget those thoughts shape your actions.

In every opportunity, you have the option to look at things through a positive lens, and that choice determines the subsequent actions.

This is true for any facet of life, fitness just being one of them. Fitness is often surrounded by negative thoughts...

"I can't do that."

"This is going to be tough."

"Look at him/her, he/she's so much better than me."

"My body is soft enough to spread on toast."

Remember, your negative thoughts lead to negative actions and, when it comes to getting lean and strong, a negative action is typically not taking action and just sitting on the sidelines.

The same applies to nutrition...

"Forget it, I'll just wait until Monday."

"I had a terrible day, I need a banana split."

Those thoughts are almost always going to lead to mindless nutrition choices.

Here's a quick quiz.

Q: What's the difference between the man who is 47 years old and looks like he has a constant frown on his face and the woman who is 74 years old and is full of joy?

A: Positive thoughts.

Good news is you have the choice to make your next thought a happy one.

Now I need to clarify something here. Oftentimes negative thoughts are rooted in fear.

It’s tempting to think that you would succeed if you just didn’t have any fear.

• If you weren’t afraid of starting a nutrition program.
• If you weren’t worried about how your kids/grandkids will navigate life's challenges.
• If you weren’t scared of declining health as you get older.

What's my point?

I want to encourage you today that you can break free from fear and self-limiting beliefs.

You just need to take action in spite of your fears.

You just need to take a deep breath and jump in.

And when you do, a funny thing happens.

Over time, the power of your fear diminishes.

You have to believe that one moment can change your life too.

One better meal.

One awesome training session.

One positive thought about yourself.

One encouraging word from another person around you.

That is my hope for you.

I am editing this lesson in March.

Soon it will be May. Then December again.

What are you waiting for?

Ditch the fear and take action.

Your moment is now. You can do this.

I'm here for you.

To your success,

Coach Joe

Joseph Arangio helps 40+ men and women get leaner, stronger, and happier. He's delivered over 100,000 transformation programs to satisfied clients around the globe. If you want to lose weight from home, with the best online longevity personal trainer, or you want to visit the best age-management personal trainer in the Lehigh Valley, you can take a free 14-day trial.