We often know what to do to improve our results after WLS. We know that regular movement, eating healthy foods, getting more sleep, taking our bariatric supplements, eating slowly and mindfully and so on will all help to move us in the right direction for long-term success.
Actually doing those actions on a consistent basis takes ongoing effort however, and our follow-through often comes down to how motivated and inspired we are.
So how do we get more motivated and inspired?
How can we shift our mindset to help us to consistently take action?
The great news is that you don’t have to wait for motivation and inspiration to just ‘show up’. There are many powerful ways that you can actually cultivate and grow these feelings yourself. One easy and effective way to do this is to create and use a vision board.
What is a vision board?
In simple terms a vision board is a mixture of images that inspire and motivate you.
A vision board can be used to inspire you in any area of life, it’s not limited to just the area of health and weight. There are many high performers in all walks of life that swear by them.
Famous examples include Oprah Winfrey, Katie Perry, Jim Carey, Beyonce, Arnold Swarzenegger, Will Smith, Sara Blakey and Michael Phelps.
You don’t have to be an Olympic athlete, a successful entrepreneur or top musician to get the benefit from this powerful tool however. They’re available for everyone to use.
How a vision board works
Neuroscience has now clearly proven that the human brain is malleable and trainable at any age. This incredible ability is referred to as ‘neuroplasticity’, and it allows you to train your brain for success in any area, including your health and weight management.
Visualisation is one of the most powerful and effective ways to train your brain.
The rewiring process uses two key components: neural resonance and mirror neourons. Neural resonance is involved in focus and problem-solving. Mirror neurons are important in the learning process and planning our actions, as well as understanding the intentions behind them.
Visualisation can therefore help us to rewire our brains resulting in greater access to ideas, solutions, and motivation.
The selective attention involved during visualisation imprints on the part of your brain that filters out unnecessary information, and focuses on information that’s relevant. Your brain then focuses on your goals and introduces you to the information you need to make them happen.
Visualisation can also help reduce anxiety and doubt.
The idea of doing things that you haven’t done before, or achieving something that we’re not sure we can do, can be a source of stress on our brains. The act of regular visualisation however will help these things feel familiar and achievable, and can therefore lower your stress response.