When the Mirror Lies-
When the Mirror Lies
By diane_petrella on Mar 01, 2012 10:00 AM in Dieting & You
By Diane Petrella, MSW
As you release weight from your body, do you still see a “fat” person in the mirror? Or do you see the thinner you beginning to emerge? When old images of yourself distort your perception, take charge and create a mind-set that accepts the changes you’re making.
Shift Your Self-Image
Many people see themselves as “fat” even when they release a significant amount of weight. This occurs because the inner pictures we hold of ourselves are very powerful. Even with concrete evidence, as in the numbers on a scale, our mind can distort reality to fit our familiar, negative self-image. To remedy this, as you release weight from your body learn to release the weight from your mind so you can emotionally adapt to the new you.
Here are four suggestions to help you see progress even when your eyes deceive you.
1. Record Your Successes
Keep a log of how many pounds you’ve released, changes in clothes size, improvement in exercise and ways your body moves more easily. Include compliments received from friends. For a stronger effect, post these successes on your mirror. Use these reminders as concrete evidence of your new weight and the healthy changes you’re making.
2. Create New Affirmations
Release old ways of thinking and affirm the new you with positive thoughts. For example, when you catch yourself saying, “I’m fat”, tell yourself firmly, “Stop. That’s an old way of thinking. I release that thought as I release excess weight. I am healthy and fit.” When you first say this, it may feel contrived. That’s OK. Say it anyway. Act “as if” it is true, which, in fact, it is as confirmed by the physical evidence you have. After a while saying these positive affirmations, and seeing yourself as thinner, feels more natural.
3. Connect With Your Body
While our eyes sometimes distort the image we see in a mirror, our body itself communicates the truth. Close your eyes and tune into your body. Feel your body weighing less. Feel what it’s like to wear looser fitting clothes. Feel your body move easily. As you connect with how your body feels, your new self-image begins to merge with the new body you’re creating.
4. Visualize Your Goal Weight
Close your eyes and imagine reaching your goal weight. For example, see yourself walking along the street feeling confident and moving your body with ease. The mind doesn’t know the difference between what’s real and what’s imagined so when you visualize you’re actually sending the message to your subconscious mind that you’ve reached your goal. This helps you reprogram limiting beliefs into positive pictures of success.
Go Deeper if Necessary
While the above suggestions help develop confidence, sometimes deeper issues related to earlier traumatic experiences cloud our perception. The “fat person” in the mirror may reflect pain from the past and won’t leave until she’s noticed. If this applies to you, please seek out professional support. By learning to love and comfort your “inner child”, you become emotionally safe to release excess weight with confidence.
Your thoughts...
Who do you see in the mirror?
By diane_petrella on Mar 01, 2012 10:00 AM in Dieting & You
By Diane Petrella, MSW
As you release weight from your body, do you still see a “fat” person in the mirror? Or do you see the thinner you beginning to emerge? When old images of yourself distort your perception, take charge and create a mind-set that accepts the changes you’re making.
Shift Your Self-Image
Many people see themselves as “fat” even when they release a significant amount of weight. This occurs because the inner pictures we hold of ourselves are very powerful. Even with concrete evidence, as in the numbers on a scale, our mind can distort reality to fit our familiar, negative self-image. To remedy this, as you release weight from your body learn to release the weight from your mind so you can emotionally adapt to the new you.
Here are four suggestions to help you see progress even when your eyes deceive you.
1. Record Your Successes
Keep a log of how many pounds you’ve released, changes in clothes size, improvement in exercise and ways your body moves more easily. Include compliments received from friends. For a stronger effect, post these successes on your mirror. Use these reminders as concrete evidence of your new weight and the healthy changes you’re making.
2. Create New Affirmations
Release old ways of thinking and affirm the new you with positive thoughts. For example, when you catch yourself saying, “I’m fat”, tell yourself firmly, “Stop. That’s an old way of thinking. I release that thought as I release excess weight. I am healthy and fit.” When you first say this, it may feel contrived. That’s OK. Say it anyway. Act “as if” it is true, which, in fact, it is as confirmed by the physical evidence you have. After a while saying these positive affirmations, and seeing yourself as thinner, feels more natural.
3. Connect With Your Body
While our eyes sometimes distort the image we see in a mirror, our body itself communicates the truth. Close your eyes and tune into your body. Feel your body weighing less. Feel what it’s like to wear looser fitting clothes. Feel your body move easily. As you connect with how your body feels, your new self-image begins to merge with the new body you’re creating.
4. Visualize Your Goal Weight
Close your eyes and imagine reaching your goal weight. For example, see yourself walking along the street feeling confident and moving your body with ease. The mind doesn’t know the difference between what’s real and what’s imagined so when you visualize you’re actually sending the message to your subconscious mind that you’ve reached your goal. This helps you reprogram limiting beliefs into positive pictures of success.
Go Deeper if Necessary
While the above suggestions help develop confidence, sometimes deeper issues related to earlier traumatic experiences cloud our perception. The “fat person” in the mirror may reflect pain from the past and won’t leave until she’s noticed. If this applies to you, please seek out professional support. By learning to love and comfort your “inner child”, you become emotionally safe to release excess weight with confidence.
Your thoughts...
Who do you see in the mirror?
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