Visualization: An Effective Weight Loss Method

What is Visualization?

Visualization is an effective weight loss method.
This is how it works: In your mind’s eye, try to maintain a clear picture of how you will look once you reach your goal weight. This in turn will set in motion an unconscious psychological process commonly referred to as a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Self-fulfilling prophecies work by building a very powerful psychological bridge between belief and behavior. In other words, if you believe you will lose weight and can imagine yourself at your ideal weight than you will subconsciously choose to do what needs to be done in order to reach your weight loss goals.

People who engage in visualization as a weight loss technique report having less cravings for junk food, feeling more accepting of strict diet or fitness regimes, enjoying exercise more, having a better overall body image and reaching their envisioned goal weights easily.

Note: Even though your weight loss will be gradual, the wonderful thing about visualization is that it has the power to give you a more positive body image right away.

The Psychology of Visualization For Weight Loss

Effecting change through the visualization of desired outcomes has become more and more acceptable in recent years. Psychologists do not yet understand exactly how visualization works. This is mainly because visualization is a uniquely personal experience. However, what is clear is that there is a concrete but often subconscious and very powerful connection between our minds and bodies.

For reasons yet unknown, it seems that if we truly want something to happen it is very likely to happen – provided of course that it is something that is possible, and within our control. For those of us who are interested in weight loss, visualization helps clear our minds of any weight loss hang-ups we may have by helping us envision our slimmer and more athletic bodies. In other words, visualization helps us clear away those psychological traps that we often put in our own path.

For example, often individuals who are overweight believe that they cannot lose weight. Sometimes they even say this out loud to their friends and family members. Though untrue, this belief stays in their subconscious and influences their weight loss efforts negatively.

The end result is that these individuals end up battling themselves and the negative thoughts that tell them, “There is no point in dieting. You cannot lose weight so you should just go ahead and eat everything you want”.
Visualization can serve as a first step towards learning to overcome such negative thoughts and impulses.

How To Practice Visualization for Weight Loss

It is important to practice visualization on a daily basis. All it takes is for you to find a quiet place in which you can relax and allow your imagination to take over for just a few minutes. In your mind’s eye, image yourself at your ideal weight. If you need help, try finding a photograph of yourself at your ideal weight.

Note: Visualization is a uniquely personal experience and therefore, there is no right or wrong way of doing it.

An effective visualization method is to visualize yourself slimming down. To do this just focus on a particular part of your body, for example, your right thigh and, in your mind’s eye, imagine it slowly becoming thinner. Next, move on to your other thigh, and so forth.

Another effective visualization method is to think of yourself as already at your ideal weight. Create your own affirmations and repeat them often, always in the present tense. For example, “I am glad to be flexible, fit and slim” and not, “I will one day be flexible, fit and slim”.

Enjoy the feeling of having a positive self-image and over time, this positive feeling will help you stick to your weight loss plan.