Can You See Me Now?
For centuries, people have believed that forming a mental picture of what you want to happen will help make that action occur. Weight loss is probably one of the most popular visualization examples.
Many people who weigh more than they want to will try to visualize themselves as a thinner, healthier person. They either have read about or have talked to someone about how this is done and believe that they too can use this relatively simple technique to shed those unwanted pounds.
Unfortunately, just trying the steps once or twice will not get the job done. Like anything worthwhile, losing weight takes focus, discipline and a variety of techniques, and visualization can be a key element in each of those steps. But it can be a part of successful plan for weight loss and nutrition improvement by including visualization in your overall plan.
Psychologists do not fully understand exactly how visualization works but clearly the mind and body are not as separate as is often believed. Studies have shown 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 can help us to truly want to lose weight by creating a clear and happy picture of our healthier and more fit bodies. However, without this we can often put psychological traps in our own path.
Many overweight people believe in their hearts that they cannot lose weight. Sometimes they say it out loud, or even hear friends say it about them. For other people this belief stays in their subconscious, but it is a fact that it influences our behavior.
Someone who believes it is impossible to lose weight will be constantly battling their own negativity when trying to diet. Their mind will be constantly be telling them there is no point in dieting, that they cannot lose weight so they should just go ahead and eat everything they wants.
Visualization is one of the strongest techniques 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, you need to consciously change your thinking.
Begin right now to 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 also important to practice visualization every day – morning and evening if you can. Take a few minutes in a quiet place and focus your mind on an image 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 healthier.
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 stay on 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 and healthier today.
Source by Phil Allen
