Visualizations – with a dose of reality.

Recently, someone who had read the book asked me about the visualizations I use in my meditations for weight loss.   She asked me if I visualize exactly how my body will look.

I don’t do that and here is my reasoning.   First, I’m 60 years old so to visualize myself in a 24 year old body would lead to frustration.  I think it’s important to be realistic in our expectations when we are setting our goals.  In my case, I’ve set a weight for my body and with my daily meditations, I continue to reinforce that thinking.  I figure that my mind and my body will find the right ‘shape’ that goes with the weight goal I’ve set.

Also, in being realistic, I may always have a bit of a tummy (though it is flattening a bit every pound I lose), and may always have the extra skin that now is a reminder of the departed fat.  (And NO that’s not me on the left!) At a certain age, the skin just won’t tighten like it once did.  Oh, you can bet I am working on it, but a dose of reality is important to keep me from being disappointed.

When setting my goals, I set them in stages.  In the initial stage of my daily meditation, I use a positive affirmation:  “I am a healthy, pain-free ___ pounds with a vibrant and disease free mind, body, heart and spirit.”  This is my ultimate goal.  However, I also set the intention of intermediate goals.  In my case, the first goal was to have a NORMAL BMI, which of course I attained almost 4 months ago.  Once I reached that, I keep the next goal in sight, usually in 5 pound increments.

With my initial positive affirmation, my brain and my body are now on board with the ultimate goal and they are making it happen.  When I hit plateaus, as we all do, then I change things up a bit with my food and hydration.

So, yes!  Visualization is powerful.  But realize that your body is only capable of so much.