Affirmations Made Easy: Harness Supportive Thoughts and Boost Your Health and Lifestyle

In the wild ride of life after WLS, we often find ourselves facing a rollercoaster of thoughts - some good, helpful and supportive - and some not-so-good, maybe even critical and damaging to our self-esteem and our ability to move towards our health and lifestyle goals. With our internal mental dialogue having so much of an impact on our outer behaviors, decisions and results, being able to interrupt those negative and unresourceful downward mental spirals and turn them into positive, upward, mindset-shifting boosts becomes even more important.

One scientifically-proven way to do this is to use Affirmations - simple yet potent repeated statements that have the ability to transform our thought patterns and promote a more optimistic outlook on life.  

The best part is, you’re already using affirmations, even if you think you’re not!

Why? Because every time you say something on a repeated basis to yourself or about yourself, it’s an affirmation. It’s a powerful statement that reinforces the mental programming that’s already in place. With that self-talk, you’re ‘affirming’ that belief or story to yourself every time you do it. So why not start to use that self-talk power for ‘good’ rather than the opposite? 

In this blog, we're diving into the world of affirmations, the powerful changes they can make to your health and lifestyle, and how you can seamlessly blend them into your daily routine.

What Exactly Are Affirmations?

Affirmations are a tool to challenge and change negative thought patterns - think of them as little pep talks you give to yourself. They're simple sentences that pack a punch because they're all about positivity. Think of them as your daily dose of mental vitamins - they help you build a healthier mindset.

The Superpowers of Affirmations

• Shifting Your Mindset: The mind is a powerful force, and what you think shapes your reality. Affirmations can help you replace self-doubt, criticism and negativity with self-belief, positivity and motivation. By consistently repeating affirmations, you gradually rewire your brain to embrace a more constructive way of thinking.
• Turning Health Hiccups Into High Fives: Imagine you're on a journey to create a healthier lifestyle (sound familiar?), and although you had intended to avoid it, that chocolate treat or that glass of wine or beer is calling your name. Affirmations can be your secret weapon. By repeating statements like "I nourish my body with healthy choices" you're reinforcing your commitment to good health and healthier choices. Over time, these affirmations can help you resist temptation and stick to your goals.
• Boosting Confidence, One "You've Got This!" at a Time: We all have those days when self-doubt creeps in, and affirmations provide a way to counteract these feelings by reinforcing our positive attributes and qualities. What if you could silence that inner critic with affirmations like "I am confident and capable" or “All the confidence I need is within me now”? Suddenly, you're strutting through life with a newfound sense of self-assuredness.

• Chilling Out and Stressing Less: Affirmations can be a valuable tool in managing stress and anxiety. By focusing on calming and reassuring statements, you can reduce the impact of anxious thoughts and promote a sense of tranquility. Affirmations are like a soothing cup of herbal tea for your mind. Repeating phrases like "I am calm and in control" can help you hit the pause button on stress and keep those cortisol levels in check so that you’re able to deal more effectively with a stressful situation. This will help you to respond thoughtfully rather than to just react in panic. 
• Turning Dreams Into Reality: Have you got some big health and lifestyle dreams? Affirmations are your cheerleaders. When you create affirmations related to your goals and aspirations, you bolster your determination and motivation - you're essentially training your brain to work harder to make those dreams a reality. So, instead of saying "I want to be fit", say "I am becoming the fittest version of myself."  By regularly reciting these affirmations, you keep your goals at the forefront of your mind, increasing your chances of success.

How to Use Affirmations Effectively and Transform Your World

• Be Specific: When crafting affirmations, be specific about what you want to achieve or change in your life. Vague affirmations may not resonate as deeply. For example, instead of saying "I am successful", you might say "I am confidently achieving my movement goals" or "I'm becoming more and more confident on the beach."
• Stay On The Sunny Side: Make your affirmations shine with positivity and focus them on what you want, not what you don’t want. Instead of saying "I am not anxious", say "I am calm and at peace." Instead of "I'm not eating junk food", go for "I choose nourishing foods that fuel my body."
• Live In The Now: Phrase your affirmations in the present tense, as if you're already experiencing the desired outcome. It's like time-travel for your brain and helps your mind accept the statement as a reality. So, instead of "I will love an active lifestyle someday", say "I'm loving my active lifestyle." Instead of "I will be healthy and strong", say "I am healthy and strong."
• Personalise It: Your affirmations should feel like they were tailor-made for you. Craft statements that resonate with your health and lifestyle goals, and they'll hit home.

• Repeat After Me: Affirmations work best with a little consistency. Set aside a few minutes each day to repeat them. You can do this in the morning, before bed, or even throughout the day as needed. Whether it's while you're having your daily shower or waiting for your morning tea to brew, make it a habit.
• Say Them With Emotion: When you say affirmations, it’s important to say them with emotion and passion. This amplifies their power and helps you to really integrate them into your unconscious mind and overcome old thought patterns.
• Picture This: Close your eyes and visualise your affirmations coming to life. See yourself already living the healthy reality described in your affirmation. The more vivid your mental picture, the more powerful your affirmations become. 
• Believe In The Possibilities: To make affirmations work, you've got to believe in them. Trust that they can bring about positive change in your life and can turn your health and lifestyle goals into reality. This will set up your unconscious mind to work to make them a reality and you'll be amazed at the results. 

Overcoming Internal Resistance to Affirmations

Sometimes your inner voice or unconscious mind may feel discomfort or resistance to an affirmation. To overcome this, the key lies in selecting affirmations that resonate with you and that are believable for you. For example, if you’re just starting out on your fitness journey, you might feel resistance to saying “I’m fit and healthy”, so change it to “I am becoming fitter and healthier” or “Every day, in every way, I am getting fitter and healthier.”

You might also feel resistance if you’re trying to use affirmations to shut out an emotion rather than listen to it. All emotions are there to send us a signal and it’s important that we feel emotions, listen to the signal that they are sending us and then act consciously in response to them. As Oprah Winfrey says, “We need to feel the feel and then take a hold of the wheel.” So if you’re feeling really stressed or anxious, then instead of saying “I’m calm and at peace” and trying to ignore the signals that your body is sending, instead use an affirmation that helps you deal with the situation, for example,  “I act calmly and confidently.” 

Bonus Audio Resource

To help you get started with using affirmations, we’ve created a ‘Health Affirmations Audio’. You can download this free resource here.

Affirmations are a simple yet potent tool for transforming your mindset and enhancing your overall well-being - think of them as your secret sauce for a healthier, more vibrant life. They're like a daily dose of inspiration that you give yourself, and by crafting positive, specific and personalised statements and consistently repeating them, you can reshape your thought patterns, transform your mindset and elevate your well-being. 

Remember, the key to success with affirmations lies in your belief and commitment to the process. So, whether you're striving for better health or looking to transform your lifestyle, remember: affirmations are your partners in positivity and unlocking your full potential. Just keep them relevant and meaningful to you, say them with passion, stay positive, and watch the magic unfold as you embrace a healthier, happier you.