Visualize your true physique

     By Kim Springer
     View columnist
      Without even being aware of it, many of us have a warped sense of how we really look. How many times have you heard a thin person deny that they look good or an attractive person claim that their nose is too big.
      For some, this is just as way of garnering more attention but others do it because they truly believe that this is how they look.
      A technique called guided imagery has helped many to reduce anxiety and pain when hospitalized. Taking a mental "vacation" from your current surroundings has also helped some patients to increase their recovery time.
      Researchers are now taking this mental imagery further to see if it can help people lose weight and stay fit by altering their perception of themselves. Belleruth Naparstek, author of a guided audio-cassette series called "Healthy Journeys" has seen an increased popularity for these tapes in hospital settings. Patients who listened to the guided-imagery tapes experienced less stress and blood loss during surgery and shorter hospital stays.
      Weight loss programs traditionally attack excess weight through purely physical means. Psychotherapist Cathy Conheim of La Jolla, Calif., has used guided imagery and recommends it to clients.
      "Traditional weight-loss programs make no attempt to set up communication between the conscious and subconscious mind."
      The excess weight is often a symptom of an underlying issue.
      Guided imagery can be used in many contexts besides weight loss. Athletes often use this technique to visualize themselves performing at an optimal state. The altered state in which the mind's perceptions brings on the body's response for an effective, internally driven activity. Meaning, if you can see yourself doing it in your mind, the body will follow.
      So, can you think yourself to good health or a thin physique? Not exactly, but you can make an impact on how your mind and body respond to your attempts at making lifestyle changes. Visualize yourself turning away from your favorite high-fat dessert and reaching for a succulent piece of fruit. Imagine how you can enjoy the delicious fruit and savor every bite.
      This type of visualization might seem silly or a waste of time for some, but the power of the mind should not be underestimated. By visualizing things before they occur, it puts you in control of the situation.
      Think about your next workout. Imagine what you'll be wearing and what you'll be doing. Make a mental checklist of everything you do and how well you perform. Now, when it is time to actually put this imagery into effect, the workout is now simple.
      Actions really do follow thoughts. Imagine how you would like to look and feel and then choose what action you need to take in order to make that a reality. By making that mind-body connection, you now have another ally on your side to help you achieve a better level of health.
     
     Kim Springer and her husband, Mike, are certified by ACE, NASM and ACSM as personal trainers. They can be reached at 233-9442, by fax at 233-9446 or by e-mail at springtrain@netscape.net.