Does it seem strange to think that you could close your eyes and imagine something and have it come true?  Using visualization for weight loss is a little more complex than that – but the basic premise does have merit!

Here’s how it works:

When you visualize something repeatedly, it starts to sink into your subconscious mind as something of importance.  As a result your subconscious mind will keep reflecting back this important essence so that you become more attuned to it mentally, emotionally, and physically.

That means you will automatically start identifying more with that slender version of yourself rather than the heavier, unhappier version of you.  As a result, you’ll start thinking and acting in ways that will help bring forth your slender vision.

It may sound like something out of a science fiction movie, but psychologists and even sports professionals stand behind the effectiveness of visualization for weight loss or anything else you want to accomplish.

Other good ways that visualization can be used for weight loss:

- Visualization can help you stay motivated to stick to a healthy eating and exercise plan, simply because when you “see” yourself being slimmer and happier, you automatically want to do whatever it takes to make it a reality.

- Visualization helps convince you that your desired outcome is possible – you keep “seeing” it as if it were true, and you gradually dissolve inner blockages, doubts and disbelief that you could achieve such a thing.

- Visualization can minimize stress and anxiety, and help you feel more positive so it’s easier to take better care of yourself and lose weight more quickly.
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Part of the reason why diets are so ineffective is because they focus on short-term gains rather than long-term gains.  We’ve gotten the idea that it’s okay to starve, punish and harm our bodies for a little while, as long as we can fit into our sexy new swimsuit by summer.  Not surprisingly, not many of us end up sticking to a strict diet like that; it’s just too hard and definitely too unpleasant.

Instead of embarking on another “diet” perhaps it’s time to change our thinking and focus on creating a healthy lifestyle that will also result in weight loss.

Here are three key ways to start:

- Banish the Diets

We all know that diets don’t really work long-term.  Yes, it’s possible to shed a few pounds by dramatically reducing our caloric intake or cutting out whole food groups – but for the long-term it’s just not feasible.  Even if you manage to lose a substantial amount of weight, you know it’s just going to come right back when you stop the diet (and you will stop it; no one can stay on a strict diet like that forever).

Instead, take a look at ways you can adjust your eating habits to be lower in calories, sugar and unhealthy fat.  Eat more fruit and vegetables and limit your intake of processed, refined foods.  Just doing that alone could help you drop a substantial amount of weight and keep it off for good.

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You’ve heard it before, patience is a virtue – but did you know that it can also help make your weight loss faster and easier?

Here’s how:

- Reduced Stress

First, by trying to hurry your weight loss, you will inevitably stress yourself out. And you know what happens when you’re stressed out, right? You hinder your body’s fat burning processes. The more stressed out and impatient you get, the slower your progress is going to be.

- Impatience Breeds Cravings

When you’re stressed out and impatient and making slow progress, you’re going to experience more cravings for fattening foods. It’s an emotional thing – almost all overweight people eat in response to emotional cues. By trying to rush your weight loss, you immediately start triggering unpleasant feelings that will in turn breed cravings for the very foods you know you should be avoiding. Read the rest of this entry