Visualization/ mind tricks 4 motivation

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Registered: 06-13-2005
Visualization/ mind tricks 4 motivation
4
Thu, 05-11-2006 - 9:07am

Last night on the drive home, I was thinking about the mental obstacles that I get sometimes during this process and what mental tricks or visualization I use to over come them. Sounds wacky, but I think it really works. One of my biggest problems is my mental block to how heavy I really am (classic denial). Somehow, I've gotten so used to being this weight and looking like this, that I have problems actually believing that I'm going to look different or feel different once the weight is gone. And I've also managed to convince myself that I don't look as heavy as I am. I mean, I carry the weight very well and no one believes I'm as heavy as I am, but I'm still a big girl and there's no hiding that, but there are times when I'll catch sight of myself in a mirror and just panic because I look so heavy. So, obviously, I have some kind of weird mental block to realizing what the results of all this work are going to look like, if that makes any sense. OK, I'm rambling on now, I'll get to the point. LOL

One of my biggest motivators is an old friend of mine. She lives in my home town in Indiana, I live in Florida, and I've only seen her twice in the past 4 years. She used to be a big girl, about my size. The last time I went home for a visit, I went over to her house for dinner. Imagine my shock when I saw that she had lost 80 lbs! I swear, if I hadn't been standing in her house and had known for a FACT that was her, I wouldn't have recognized her. The whole shape of her face changed! I had no idea how much of a difference 80 lbs would make in the way that anyone looks. It was amazing. So now, I keep 2 pictures of her: a before picture and an after picture and when ever I start struggling or getting depressed, I look at them and it is terrific motivation.

One of the other things that I think helps me quite a bit is to actually picture how much weight I need to lose. 120 lbs becomes just a number after a while and I forget just how much that really is. So, when this happens, I've got a very simple solution. My dog, a deaf and partially blind Great Dane (who is my pride and joy) weighs around 125-130, she's a big girl. And it occurred to me one day that, essentially, I need to "lose" my dog. I am carrying around a Great Dane's worth of extra weight every day. No wonder I'm so tired all the time! Yes, it's a depressing thought, but it's a great motivator.

Now I'm wondering what mental tricks or visualizations everyone else uses and what do you all find most effective?

Alllison Mommy to Eleanor, born 05/11/10 Blighted ovum 08/25/11 Due with #2 09/05/12
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
Thu, 05-11-2006 - 10:05am

WOW I haven't ever really thought of doing that, but I too have a friend who lost over a 100 lbs and the results are AMAZING. She is actually struggling with not losing more because she got so used to eating so healthy and watching what she eats that it is a struggle to maintain a healthy weight instead of becoming underweight. She is my motivation but I never thought of keeping a before/after pic of her around. I guess with me it helps to have her around because I do remember before the weight loss and to see the after weight loss of her now is a shock. We lost touch with each other for quite some time after we went to college and now we live within 25 miles of one another again so it is nice that we get to hang out and have become BEST FRIENDS again. She lost the weight before we got back in touch and like you said I barely recognized her. EVEN now after 2 years of being friends again, I sometimes do not recognize her. It is really amazing to see that it can be done isn't it? Okay now I am rambling, my point is good for you for finding unique forms of motivation. I too carry my weight well, and it always shocks me when someone says they think I weigh maybe 200 lbs when I actually weigh over 250. Even the nurse at the dr. office always starts around 180 before she moves the scale up some...LOL I just laugh and tell her to go on up to 250 and go from there, and she gives me this weird look. Makes me feel a little better to know I don't look 250 but still I am big, and unhappy, and unhealthy so that is my motivation. Like you I just figured since I didn't look it it wasn't a big deal, til I hit 250 then I said OKay reality check we have a problem here. Good luck to you.

Angela
256/252.5/200 (starting 5/8/06/200 being 1st big goal)

 

Angela

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2005
Thu, 05-11-2006 - 7:02pm

I think it is great that you have found something that works to keep you motivated. It souns like you are on your own success weight loss story...I am excited for you.

As for me, I find that my greatest motivator is how I fit into my clothes. It is nice when I had to go to buy new under garments. The bonus is going into the store to buy a new pair of summer pants and finding out that my normal size is too large.

Keep up the good work!
Hyacinth

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Thu, 05-11-2006 - 7:37pm

Visualization is great. I wish I had a friend around that has lost the weight! I mean, I know one girl that was on her way to losing it, but then moved back in with her parents, and has gained most back.

But for me, I agree with Hyacinth, clothes, when you can move down a size, or you just are looking better in them. Also for me, I try to visualize having children. I have been trying to have a baby for over 2 years now, and I think one of the biggest factors is my weight. So, I try to think of that when I wanna give up. Also, being able to buy cuter, cheaper clothes, and look hot for my hubby of course. Also, I try to think about just how people's reactions will be to see me looking thinner. Friends, and family mostly. Thanks for sharing some ideas with us!
Tami
257/228.5/195



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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2006
Mon, 05-15-2006 - 3:22am

It is great that you find this to motivate you. I use before/after pictures too, but I use pictures of myself (I was 165 less than 4 years ago). So I guess it's before/after pictures in reverse LOL. But I KNOW what I will look like once I lose the weight and I do have many clothes waiting for me to get back into. I always keep them in my closet as a reminder.


Also my son weighs almost as much as I lost (he's 30.8 lbs), so when I carry him around I get a 'feeling' of how much I really lost and that motivates me to continue.

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