“The secret of achievement is to hold a picture of a successful outcome in the mind.” – Henry David Thoreau
There are many forms of motivation, but the one I find most effective is visualization. If you have ever spoken in public and pictured the audience in their underwear, you know the power of visualization. So if you’re dying to get into your pre-pregnancy pants, pull those suckers out of the closet and use them to push you through your get-fit journey. I have a few other ways visualizing your success can really pay off, so keep reading.
The top three ways to take advantage of visual motivation:
1. Post a picture of your dream body — either of your own from the past or of someone who inspires you — in a place where you’ll see it every day, several times throughout the day. I would recommend tacking it on your bathroom mirror, your computer screen or your refrigerator door (where you’ll be most tempted). This also works with those skinny jeans you can’t wait to fit into again or that teeny bikini begging to see the light of day. Hang these on the front of your closet for a constant reminder.
2. Keep tally of your small successes while keeping your eyes on the ultimate prize. One option would be to keep a money jar in sight, and with every pound, inch or body fat percentage you drop, you add a dollar to the jar. Watch the dollars pile up until you’ve reached your goal, then go splurge on a new top or special non-food treat to celebrate (you’ve earned it!).
3. Create a scrapbook that captures your transformation. Whenever you’re feeling down, flip through this “success book” for motivation to keep going. You’ll not only have a well-documented journey, you’ll be able to see with your very own eyes the power you have to make a change for the better.
Sometimes, you have to see it to believe it!