The surprising fact is that many conditions
can be improved by visualization and weight loss is one of them. It works like
this: you keep a vision in your mind of how you want your body to look, and
subconsciously you will begin acting in a way that will go in that direction.
You become much more positive about your body, more accepting of your diet or
fitness regime, and you will reach your weight goals more quickly and easily.
Effecting change through visualizing
desired outcomes has become more and more acceptable in recent years.
Psychologists do not understand exactly how it works but clearly the mind and
body are not as separate as we often believe. It seems that if you truly want
something it is more likely to happen - provided of course that it is something
that is possible, and within your control. Visualization helps us to truly want
to lose weight by creating a clear and happy picture of our fitter bodies.
Without this we can often put psychological traps in our own path.
Many people who are overweight believe they
cannot lose weight. Sometimes you may say it out loud, or hear friends say it
about themselves. For other people this belief stays in the subconscious. But
it is sure that it influences our behavior. Someone who believes it is
impossible for her to lose weight will be constantly battling her own
negativity when she is trying to diet. Her mind will be constantly telling her
there is no point dieting, she cannot lose weight so she should just go ahead
and eat everything she wants. Visualization is the strongest technique that we
can use to overcome these negative thoughts and impulses.
If you are plagued by negativity either
from your own mind or from the reactions of friends and family to your diet, go
ahead and visualize yourself at your desired weight as often as you can. It
works on the same level as all those negative voices and can annihilate their
influence like nothing else can.
It is important to practice every day -
morning and evening if you can. You just need to take a few minutes in a quiet
place and keep an image in your mind of your body at its ideal weight. Some
people can do this easily, others need some help. If you have a photograph of
yourself at your ideal weight in the past, you may find it easier to look at
that. Or use a photo from a magazine but cut off the person's face. You need to
visualize your own body, but thinner.
You can also visualize from the inside.
Close your eyes and let your awareness focus on a part of your body - for
example, your right thigh. Imagine it slowly becoming thinner in your mind's
eye. Then move to the other thigh, and on through the body. It may help to
start at the feet and move up towards the head, or vice versa.
As you go about your work or daily chores,
think of yourself as already at your ideal weight. Create your own affirmations
and repeat them often, always in the present tense ("I am glad to be
flexible, fit and slim", not "I will ..."). Enjoy the feeling of
having a positive self-image. Over time, this will help you to keep to your
weight loss plan. You will find that fatty foods are less attractive and
exercise is more enjoyable.
While your weight loss will of course be
gradual, the wonderful thing about visualization is that it gives you a new
body image right away. Use visualization and weight loss to make you happier
right now, today!