Motivation Monday: Use visualization to achieve your fitness goals

Architects draw blueprints for new buildings so they know what to build. In the same fashion, it is of immeasurable value that you have a precise and detailed picture of your fitness goals so you know what you are working towards. With this, you will be able to make a strategic plan and set reasonable goals, with the help of your Personal Trainer/Group Fitness Instructor, to help you stay motivated on course to the end result that is the body and health you want.

In this article, I want to discuss with you what visualization can do to contribute to your fitness journey. You will immediately see that this subtle mind technique is a powerful way to focus your mental effort in any desired direction and stay motivated for both the longer and the shorter term objectives of any workout. I will also, of course, give to you two very simple techniques you can implement right away to use visualization for your fitness goals. Whether you are a seasoned fitness enthusiast with years of experience under your belt, or you are just beginning your journey and hoping you can keep up the 2017 resolutions, this simple technique will be an invaluable addition not just to your exercise routine but to as many areas of your life as you will dare to apply it.
 To visualize something is to make a mental image of that thing. For example, imagine visiting a close friend you have not seen in a while. See their smile as they open the door for you, feel their excitement as you embrace, notice their clothes, shoes, any changes in the room, the music they have on etc. from where you are sitting right now, you realize that it already feels good to visit your friend, almost like you have done it already. Such, and more, is the power of mental imagery.


Arnold Schwarzenegger:
“… I had this fixed idea of growing a body like Reg Park’s. The model was there in my mind; I only had to grow to fill it. The more I focused in on this image and worked and grew, the more I saw it was real and possible for me to be like him… …what you do is create a vision of who you want to be – and then live that picture as if it were already true.”


Confucius:
“… He who says he can and he who says he can’t are both usually right.”

The science behind visualization

Many researchers have carried out scientific studies on visualization and the use of mental imagery to achieve success. For example, Australian psychologist Alan Richardson was able to demonstrate that visualization alone, is almost as good as actual practice in improving the ability to make free throws in basketball. You can read more about this and other studies here http://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/8531/is-visualisation-almost-as-effective-as-practice

According to scientist and author David R Hamilton, your brain is unable to tell the difference between something that is real and something that is imagined. Read his article in more depth here http://drdavidhamilton.com/visualisation-alters-the-brain-body/

For a more detailed analysis of how the brain works during imagination, read the works of one John Assaraf here http://johnassaraf.com/law-of-attraction/understand-your-brain-to-use-visualization

How can this affect your fitness?

The old adage of seeing is believing holds truer than most people realize. If you were to make a vision of who you want to become in the future, see that image, and live every bit of it as if it were already yours by right, it would be just a matter of time before you realized that vision; there is a lot of scientific data and testimonials to back this up.

For example, say I am 80 kg and want to lose 10 kilos, I will train and eat like am 70 kg. But it will not stop there; there are more questions that need to be answered in order to guide my lifestyle change:

1. What will I wear when I hit 70kg?
2. How would I present myself to people?
3. Will I change my social circle?
4. Will I talk the same?

This is just but a few. You want to cover as much detail as you can possibly think of. It is simple techniques like this that relieve you from the pressure and anxiety of achieving a set objective, allowing you to enjoy the process – and get results - while living a fulfilled life at the same time.

There are many ways you can use visualization to affect change towards you fitness goals; these two are of equivalent value yet are very simple and easy to use:

1. Focus on the outcome: Think about what you want to achieve and make a mental picture of it. Hold that image in your mind so you see it with waking hour, all day long, and before you go to sleep. It is all around you, there is no escaping it. In the example above, Arnold Schwarzenegger had a desired out, he put himself to work, and the rest is history.
2. Focus on the process: You have set your fitness goal, and made a mental image to work towards. Now focus on the small steps it takes to get there. In the weight loss example above, attention is turned towards the journey, not the destination. This is not to say the latter is unimportant. Every little step will help build on the bigger picture.

Your take home

So what I want you to work on today is visualization technique number 2. What is your biggest fitness goal this year? What will it take to get there? How will it feel when you get there? Work with as much detail of the process as you can, list them down if you have to, share them with us in the comments section below if you will. You can also email us on fitablebody@gmail.com or bodyfit.ent@gmail.com, we are always happy to help.

At the end of it, you want to create a strategic plan that details your journey as precisely as possible, accounting for as many possible hurdles as you can imagine. That is the way to succeed.

For more information about our services, look at our website on www.theablebodyfitness.co.ke.

Have a happy week.