Let me start by saying that this is something that really resonates with me and I’m so super excited to share it with you! Throughout this series about making that all-important lifestyle change, we’ve been discussing how change and weight loss is more of a mental effort than it is physical. It’s probably about 90% mental and only 10% physical. That being said, I recently came across a few studies that prove weight loss is mental AND that there is a powerful trick to losing more weight in the same space of time. What is it and how does it work?

I want to talk about functional imagery. This is a system of using visualization as a powerful motivator to achieve success in the goals you’ve set for yourself. For a long time, voicing your goals has been touted as the motivation you need to work toward your goals. However, in the last while visualization has come to the forefront as the key to unlocking goal-reaching success, according to research. So, what is functional imagery and how does it help you achieve your goal of living a healthier lifestyle?

Talking Vs. Visualization

Let’s not discredit writing down your goals and coming up with a plan to achieve them. That is something you will never reach your goals without doing. However, just talking about your goals isn’t enough to help you reach them. The key to unlocking that success is visualization. When you think about it, that actually makes sense. You can say you want to achieve something. You can tell others and hope that revealing your goal improves your personal accountability for reaching that goal but does it really? Well, yes, it does, but that’s only half the story.

Putting words to your desires already increases your chances of success but it’s not a guarantee. What if I told you that research suggests that visualization has an average of five times more weight loss than talking about your desires alone? Hold onto your seat because we’re about to explore the power of visualization for weight loss success.

Visualisation for Success

Visualization doesn’t mean just thinking about it and imagining it like you do daydreaming of it at work in between meetings or while you’re stuck in the traffic with wishful thoughts. Visualization means actually taking time out of your day to sit, relax, and focus all your attention on really putting yourself in the position you want to be in.

Try this. You’ve thought about where you ultimately want to be and what it would be like but chances are you haven’t dedicated time to it. After all, it’s just hope, right? It’s not guaranteed, you know? Well, what if you thought about it and imagined it as if it was not just possible but guaranteed? Go ahead. Try it.

Find a quiet space, clear your mind of the stresses and worries of your life, and focus on what you envision your life to be like once you reach your goal. Don’t just daydream, focus. Imagine what it would feel like. Imagine what you could do. Imagine who you would be. Allow yourself to become so immersed in the visualization that you can literally feel the emotions you would feel if you were in that position. Seriously, go ahead, do it. Spend a few minutes really visualizing it before you continue reading.

Now that you’re back, how do you feel? Do you feel motivated? Do you feel fired up and like it’s possible? Do you feel more positive about reaching your goal? Yes! You do and that’s the whole point of the exercise. Visualization allows you to put yourself in the position you want to be in. It allows you to simulate the emotions you would feel. Getting a mental taste of what it would be like to achieve your goals is so much better than just talking about it, isn’t it?

Visualization is an incredibly powerful tool to help you develop the mental attitude you need to reach your goals. It’s not wishful thinking if you are applying the inspiration and motivation to actually achieve your goals. You aren’t just spending time dreaming of it. You are using visualization to put yourself in your shoes if you reach your goal and that is such a powerful tool to help reach your goals. It doesn’t actually matter what goal it is, whether it’s a job promotion, weight loss, financial security, being healthy and fit.

Give visualization a try. Don’t just sit there daydreaming in between work or conversations. Take a few minutes every day, or every other day, to visualize yourself where you want to be a year from now or once you’ve reached your goal. Focus on how it would feel, what your life would be like, and the benefits you can have from achieving your goal. Try it for a week or two and notice the difference in your resolve and motivation and then keep doing it.