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Napoleon once said, 'Imagination rules the world.' The subconscious mind does not know the difference between what's real and what's imagined. When you visualize yourself stuck in traffic, late for an appointment and being reprimanded by your boss'your muscles automatically begin to clench up, your blood vessels dilate, and you begin to sweat. Your body responds to this imagined threat as if it were actually happening. By the same token, when you imagine yourself at your niece's wedding pigging out on hourdeurves and cake, you are sending a signal to your subconscious mind to make this happen. The subconscious takes its orders from the imagination and like a loyal servant, creates your life based on these imaginings.

Understanding this principle, you can use it for your benefit. When you begin to imagine yourself eating smaller portions, leaving food on your plate, and enjoying an increased level of activity'this is what you begin to create for yourself in your life. Make the following mini mind-vacations part of your daily routine, and notice how your eating habits begin to shift naturally. When practicing these mini-vacations of the mind, use all your senses. The more real you can make the scenes for yourself, the greater the impact these visualizations will have on your life.

' Picture yourself sitting at a table filled with foods that are harmful to you'the kind of foods that are poisonous to your system. Imagine pushing these foods off the table and away from you'feeling completely repulsed by them. Imagine as you push these foods away from you that they represent rolls of uncomfortable, unpleasant fat dripping off the sides of the table. Smile to yourself with satisfaction.

' Imagine that the table is cleared completely of rich, greasy, sugary food. Now fill the table with the foods that are best for you'salads, vegetables, perhaps fruits or lean meats or whole grains. Fill the table with the kind of foods that bring you nourishment and sustenance. Visualize the vast array of magnificent colors as you gaze at all the beautiful vegetables displayed on your table. In your mind's eye, see the food spread out before prepared in delicious ways that are very pleasing to your palate. Feel your muscles relax as you prepare to eat food that is sustaining and healing for you.

' Imagine that as you go through your day, you begin to crave and prefer healthy snacks. Let yourself experience the joy of crunching on a fresh, crispy organic carrot. Anticipate the scrumptious pleasure of a big spring mix salad with fresh olive oil sprinkled on top. You can imagine your greens topped with dry-roasted pecans and some freshly broiled salmon. Let your body take in how nourishing and satiating a meal like this is. Imagine how good it feels to eat in a balanced way.

' Imagine satisfying your urge for carbohydrates with healthy, whole grain carbs rather than empty calorie junk food. Let your inner mind connect to the nutrients in steamed brown rice. Feel how good it feels to substitute whole grain, water-rich, unprocessed food for the old junk you used to eat. Imagine how satisfying a desert of brown rice topped with a teaspoon of nutrient-rich almond butter or half a banana can be.

' Imagine yourself looking in the mirror and really being pleased with the image looking back at you. Imagine yourself feeling gratitude and appreciation for your wonderful body. Feel how good it feels to fit into your clothes with comfort and ease. Imagine that as you gaze at your reflection, you can feel a surge of love for yourself.

' Visualize yourself looking forward to an increased level of activity throughout the day. Look forward to jumping on your bike, enjoying the beautiful outdoors and the lovely feeling of the breeze against your skin. Feel the pleasure of the movement of your body as you dance, swim or rollerblade. Anticipate the same joy of movement you experienced as a child.

' Create a mini mind vacation where you can experience all your emotions without needing to reach for food to submerge them or distract yourself. Imagine that you can accept yourself and all your feelings exactly as they are. Take in the fact that emotions are like the weather'they come and go. Imagine yourself opening to a new level of compassion with yourself. In your mind's eye, practice accepting and containing whatever is happening in your environment without needing to reach for food as a coping mechanism.

By practicing these mini-mind vacations on a regular basis, you can begin to naturally re-program your subconscious image of yourself and your associations with food. Each time you practice these visualizations, you are strengthening your inner connection with the part of you that is absolutely determined to be successful and achieve your ideal weight. Updating the old mental programming regarding food and the way you relate to food is the first step in achieving a healthy relationship with the foods you eat and your body. Take time to observe the creations of your mind. Remember Napoleon's famous quote, 'Imagination rules the world.' Your own imagination certainly controls your personal level of happiness and satisfaction regarding your health and your weight. Know that you absolutely can take control of your life and your eating habits!