In my last post, I shared how I began the process of losing 50 pounds, and how learning to love myself as I was kick-started a healing process I didn’t know I needed. I began with implementing changes that set the groundwork for living a healthier and more satisfying life.

There was more, however, than standing in front of the mirror and saying “I love you” to myself. I needed to continue the process.

On the inside, I kept beating myself up, and my health wasn’t great either. My diet was not doing my mind and health many favors.

At this point, I had not jumped into dieting. I had simply created a dinner hour for our family and eliminated low-hanging fruit – the huge snack I would indulge in before dinner.

I also stopped drinking cola. Each morning after dropping my daughter off at school, I’d hightail it over to McDonald’s for a large cola. As I began to change my habits, I chose to drink iced tea that I made at home.

Visualizing Myself Slim and Feeling Amazing

One afternoon, I went to try on an outfit I would have loved wearing when I was slimmer. Unfortunately, with my extra weight, the look didn’t flatter me. Although my weight loss journey had begun, I still felt uncomfortable with my weight and the fact that I always felt sluggish.

I decided to take my inner game up a notch: I would try visualization – only with a slight twist.

I not only imagined myself slim, but also how I would feel once I achieved my goal. I imagined the lightness of my body, increased energy and fitness, and the confidence that was beginning to grow as I continued honoring myself by making healthy choices.

I imagined the excitement of looking good in clothing, and maybe even trying something a little sexy every now and then.

I imagined my slim self walking confidently in a beautiful outfit. I imagined looking at my slim self in the mirror and appreciating the sight. I imagined how it would feel to be found attractive by my husband again. I imagined myself feeling energetic and strong.

I cut out pictures and placed them on a vision board I kept in my bathroom. I imagined my “slim self” throughout the day as I ran errands and before going to bed.

Taking Action

The slim energetic person within me was bursting to be more active, but I was severely out of shape. I needed to find an activity that would be sustainable with my busy schedule and something I could easily stick with.

My solution? Walking.

I committed to walking 20 minutes a day, every single day, rain or shine. If I was joined by a walking partner, that was great, but if I not, I walked anyway. If it were raining, I’d find an indoor location. If I felt bored, I’d add music.

I walked 20 minutes every day.

Between the walking and eliminating soda and the snack, I began to see progress. My clothes fit better, I felt more energetic, I looked better, and I was starting to gain a little self-confidence.

I knew I would need to ramp things up a bit more, but I was thrilled that I was moving in the right direction. I was getting ready for the next step figuring out a diet plan. You’ll have to stay tuned for that next month.

The Takeaway

To make a substantive change, whether you want to lose weight, start a business, manage our money better, or have more meaningful relationships, you can start by implementing these simple ideas:

• Accept where you are with compassion and begin practicing self-love and healing.
• Be willing to change.
• Keep your eye on the prize using affirmations and a vision board. Make sure you try to feel what it will be like when you succeed.
• Take action on “low hanging fruit” to get the ball rolling.

Where are you on your weight loss journey? Have you started? Are you serious about it? What’s your motivation? Have you tried visualization? What action are you willing to take to get to your goal? Please share in the comments below.