Can You See Yourself Fit and Strong?

A most important and very under rated technique used in the fitness industry is visualisation. Can you visualise yourself after you’ve lost 10kgs, can you see yourself with six pack abs, can you imagine looking in the mirror and seeing the body you desire?

World class athletes use this technique extensively from an Olympic sprinter seeing him or herself on the winner’s podium to a gymnast mentally rehearsing their routine prior to actually doing it or an AFL footballer going through a goal kicking scenario to win a game after the final siren has sounded.

The same principles can be applied to whatever goals you may be striving to achieve in 2011 and beyond. If it’s improving your diet for example, you can mentally rehearse coming home from work, preparing a nutrient rich meal, seeing the ingredients, imagining the smells of your favourite recipe being prepared and watching yourself sit down at the table and enjoy a healthy, satisfying meal.

If it’s a physical challenge you are striving to achieve such as completing a marathon or triathlon or lifting a personal best in the gym the same principles apply. Find yourself a nice quiet place, it can be dark if that helps you visualise better, and see yourself lining up at the start of the marathon with all the other runners. Make it as realistic as your mind will allow, hear the starters gun, see yourself with an initial adrenalin fuelled surge as your run begins and then settling into your ideal pace. See landmarks on your marathon course as you pass them by, watch yourself passing the distance markers 5, 10, 21, 30 and 40 kms and then see the finishing tape in the distance. Allow yourself a personal celebration as you cross the 42km finish line and imagine the great feeling of achievement and satisfaction that will filter through your mind and body.

Try these 3 easy steps to get you on the path to seeing yourself achieve your goals:

· Write down your goals and/or dreams
· Read them either out loud or to yourself until you can memorise them
· Then close your eyes and see yourself achieving these goals and or dreams

You may currently think being a fit, strong, healthy person is just a fantasy and if that is the way you think then you will be right. If you allow your mind to open up and believe what you visualise and believe the actions and behaviours that will get you there those fantasies of the past can become the realities of the future. See yourself fit and strong in 2011.