People often set weight loss goals and diet so they can look better and fit into a smaller size of clothing. Whether the goal is to lose 10 pounds or 100 pounds, it’s important to have a mental image of your body at your goal weight.
Stay motivated to diet and exercise by keeping your eye on your goal. Seeing is believing. Visualizing yourself thin is a powerful way to keep weight loss at the top of your priority list., but it takes a little imagination. Believe in your ability to succeed at losing weight to create an image of how you will look.
Dieters who have been overweight since childhood or have not seen their ideal weight in many years may have trouble getting a mental image of themselves at a healthy weight.
Several Web sites make visualizing weight loss easy. They allow users to create a printable picture of their body at their goal weight.
- Weight View is a photo enhancement site. Users submit a current photo and a photo of them at a thinner weight is emailed to them the next day. How much weight they trim off of the picture all depends on what you enter on your profile information. Pro – It is nice to see an actual picture of yourself at a thinner weight, not just a model of the size you want to be. Con – The picture don’t look very natural. The shrinkage appears to only happen in the midsection as if there is an editing tool used that narrows the center of the photo. The pictures did not seem to reflect changes in the legs, thighs, arms, breast or face.
- My Virtual Model is a site where you can create a model by inputting data to change the features to look as much like you as possible. You can specify hair color; choose a hair style that is similar to yours, eye color, height, weight, body shape and more. Then you can dress the model to see how certain clothes would look on your figure. Pro – It allows you to compare your current body weight next to a model of yourself at your ideal goal weight and anywhere in between. This is a great feature, especially if you have a lot of weight to lose. Finding your halfway mark and getting a visual of you at that weight is motivational to stay on track. Con – The models are based on approximations. They don’t have your exact features and they don’t account for uneven weight loss.
- Weight Loss Pose enhances pictures to reduce the appearance of fat, love handles, double chins and more. Pro – Despite charging a fee, they do send work-in-progress pictures so you can fine-tune them and tell them exactly where you would like to have fat removed. Con – Unlike the other sites, they charge for the picture enhancements. Prices range from $8 to $25, depending on which areas you want to see improved.
Maximize the Visual Image:
- Copy the image to use on profile pages and social networking sites.
- Print the thin picture as a reminder of your weight-loss goals.
- Post the printed photo on the fridge, on your bathroom mirror, or anywhere you need the support.
- Scrapbook the photo into a journal and write how you will feel at that size and weight.
- Download the photo to you cell phone for an instant reminder to make healthier lifestyle choices – Anytime, anywhere.
Tracy Rose - Tracy Rose is a powerflifter who holds the state record in deadlifting and has had success in her own weight loss journey.
Join the Conversation