Starling Fitness: Daily writings on Fitness, Diet, and Health

Visualization is a powerful tool to prepare your mind for weight loss. For me, visualization works best with writing. If I sit down and write what I will look like, what I will be able to do and how I will feel when I reach my ideal weight, it works for me.

I’ve learned, over the years, that what works for me doesn’t necessarily work for everyone, so here is a list of ways that you can use to get your head wrapped around the idea of what it will be like when you’re thin:

• Meditation: You can do this while lying in bed waiting for sleep to overtake you. You can meditate while you’re exercising. You can even do it while you’re driving to or from work.

• Drawing: Use whatever art materials you feel most comfortable with and draw what you would like from your life when you reach your ideal weight.

• Writing: Use a notebook or type on the computer, visualizing what you think being thin would feel like and what you would do.

• Music: Choose a song that epitomizes what your life will be like when you are thin. Sing along at the top of your lungs. Write your own lyrics to the tune of a song. Write your own lyrics and music if you are truly inspired.

For all of these techniques, don’t let art get in the way of your visualization. You don’t need to clear your mind of all distractions or be at peace. You don’t have to use perfect grammar. You don’t need to create lovely illustrations. You don’t need to stay in key. Don’t let worries about art or being “good enough for anyone else to hear.” This is about experiencing a different you, not about creating beautiful art.

Questions to ask yourself:

• What will I look like when I’m thin? How will I fit in my clothes? What will each part of my body feel like when I’m at my ideal weight?

• What will shopping for clothes be like when I’m thin? What stores will I go to? What outfits will I wear? What clothes will I fit into that I can’t even dream of wearing now?

• What activities will I participate in when I’m at my ideal weight? Will I play sports? Will I be willing to travel to exotic locations? Will I go dancing in a black neoprene catsuit?

• How will eating be different for me? Will food hold any power over me anymore? Will I be able to eat healthy without feeling deprived? How will I do that? What foods will I eat that keep me satisfied and happy?

• How will people treat me when I’m thin? How will I react to their compliments? What will my family say to me? How will it be for me with strangers? How will I respond? How will I feel about the attention? How will I feel if no one notices?

If you are willing to spend the time on yourself doing this project, you will have a clear idea of what you expect from being thin. You will be able to visualize what your life will be like when you get there. So many people are shocked at their life when they lose weight that they end up gaining the weight back. This will help prepare your mind for the healthy life that you are looking forward to.

Update 08-04-05: You can create a visualization MP3 from the work that you did here. Instructions are on the entry: How to Record Your Own Meditation MP3 with MusicMatch