2 Ways To Use Visualization To Plan Your Fitness Journey and Reach Your Goals
I get asked a lot about how to plan and reach a goal when it comes to healthier living. I am a big fan of goal-setting: It gives you something to look forward to, work on every day, and celebrate once you reach your milestone. And whether your goal is to walk a mile, eat better, boost metabolism by increasing your muscle mass or another health-oriented end reward, visualization can help!
Our minds are powerful tools when it comes to goal reaching, and is part of the reason I have a weekly Wellness Session in my new Vitality For Life Program: the brain doesn’t really know the difference between an imagined image and a real image. Our minds create our realities, so why not apply this to the healthy journey you want to undertake?! And I emphasize the word journey - not just the goal - because studies show that those who begin to visualize the entire process leading up to the goal, and not just the end result, actually achieve more.
So how do you do this? Here are two common health goals and how to visualize getting there!
1) Making Fitness a Priority. A healthy body is a great goal for everyone, no matter your level. Start by thinking of the goal you want to achieve, say being able to walk 3 miles at a quick pace. Start by visualizing your daily routine to get there: The clothes you will wear, the path you will walk, what you look forward to seeing on the walk. Then use all five senses when you are walking, and pay attention to them - as time goes on and you are doing other things, these specific senses will remind you of your walks, and you will visualize going further, faster, longer. Studies show that you are more likely to achieve a faster, longer walk when you visualize the entire process and experience those recalls throughout your day!
2) Eating Healthier. Let’s say you want to improve your cholesterol levels. Visualize the end game: A better “good” HDL level will help remove excess cholesterol from your bloodstream, and a lower “bad” LDL level that can increase the risk of heart disease. Now how do you get there through nutrition? Imagine planning and shopping for a kitchen stocked with heart-healthy foods, such as oatmeal, buts, beans and legumes, and produce. Visualize cooking these foods, and apply the five senses rule when you are eating these heart-healthy meals. As you continue this practice, you should be more likely to choose a healthy snack when you are provided choices, as you have already been training your mind to visualize a healthy nutrition path to a heart-healthy goal!
I use visualization when I set goals, and encourage you to, as well - it’s right there inside you, and free to tap into! I can also help you get on the path to a healthy fitness and nutrition plan with my Vitality For Life Program! It includes workouts, wellness sessions, a meal plan and more. The first four weeks are complimentary, so give it a try!!
Let's live FIT, HAPPY and HEALTHY - together!!
Denise
PS - if you're ready to jump in head first and start your Denise Austin Fitness Membership - this is the time to do it! You can save 25% with code GOAL25 through tomorrow, 1/31/2025!