How to Make a Weight Loss Vision Board that Works

A weight loss vision board is a great visualization tool to have in your weight loss toolkit.  Indeed, it can help you stay motivated, focused, and committed to your weight, fitness, and overall health goals. 

Let’s be honest.  Sometimes it’s hard to have the internal motivation to eat less, watch your portions, and get enough exercise to make you sweat.  So, a weight loss vision board might be the thing you need to manifest your dreams, boost your motivation, and enhance your sense of purpose.

If this sounds good, keep reading to learn about the benefits of using a vision board and for some tips on making one that works for you!  

What Is a Vision Board?

A vision board is a visual representation of your goals and aspirations.  Although they are sometimes called “dream boards,” vision boards are much more than that.  Yes, a dream board is also a visual tool. However, it focuses primarily on using a collage of pictures and words to inspire you to manifest your goals and dreams.  Additionally, many of these types of boards are grounded in the law of attraction and focus on the big vision or dream rather than the specific goals.

Unsurprisingly, vision boards are gaining in popularity in many weight loss programs.  Notably, the focus is not on ways to lose weight but on goal setting and creating the life experiences you want.  Health coaches love recommending them, and their clients love the idea of designing and manifesting the life they want. 

What Are the Benefits of a Weight Loss Vision Board?

Undeniably, a weight loss vision board is an easy way to organize, plan, and visualize a healthier, slimmer you. Now, let’s be more specific about how a vision board can help you to lose weight. 

Clarifies Your Goals

A primary benefit of making a vision board is to clarify and define your goals. For example, why do you want to lose weight? No, it’s not a silly question.  Common reasons for wanting to lose weight include to:

• Improve their health (lower blood pressure, blood sugar, etc.)
• Feel better and improve your energy.
• Look good for a wedding, high school reunion, or other events.

Indeed, everything else flows when you have a clear goal.

Read: How to Refocus Your Weight Loss Goal and Keep the Weight Off

Breaks Your Goal into Smaller Steps

We encourage women to dream big and to dream in color.  However, the vision of losing a significant amount of weight can sometimes be overwhelming.  Undoubtedly, you can create a board that focuses on your short-term goals and break them into smaller, realistic steps.

Visualizes the New You

The saying that a” picture is worth a thousand words” really captures the idea behind a vision board.  Indeed, we often have an idea of want we want, but it is hard to see it.  However, when you put your board in a prominent place and see it often, it trains your mind to help you manifest what you want and attracts positive energy.

Reminds You of Your “Big Why”

Your board is a daily reminder to help you reach your health and weight goals.   Looking at your vision board throughout the day helps to reinforce healthy habits, banish negative self-talk, and encourage you to make choices that align with your weight loss goals.

Tracks Your Progress

Your board is an excellent tool for tracking your progress.  You can track your progress with stickers, charts, graphs, and updated images representing each milestone you have achieved. 

Keeps You Motivated

One of the reasons that vision boards work well is that it keeps you motivated.  Indeed, when you track your progress, read inspirational quotes and intentions, and see the images, they remind you of why you are working so hard.  This really works on those tough days when you slip up. 

What Should You Include in Your Weight Loss Vision Board?

Now, don’t panic if you’re not a crafty or artistic person.  Indeed, we are not doing a masterclass or entering a competition.  The idea is to have fun and enjoy the process.

Your goal board for weight loss can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be.  Here are some things to include when making a vision board:

• A photo of a dress, pair of jeans, shorts, or swimsuit that you want to fit into.  Seeing this outfit every day brings your goal to life.
• Your big weight goal (e.g., 25 pounds).
• Smaller, short-term goals that will help keep you accountable (e.g., 5 pounds a month)
• Empowering and encouraging quotes, declarations, and intentions to keep you going when you feel like quitting. 
• Inspirational quotes to help you on days you feel like quitting
• Lists of specific action steps to help you reach your long-term goals.
• A checklist to help you track your progress over time.
• Name or photo of your accountable buddy.
• Photo of books to motivate you

You can also find other vision board ideas and printable templates online. 

Vision Board Supplies

Now that you know what to include on your board, it’s time to get some supplies. Undoubtedly, you probably already have many of these at home. These are some of the basic supplies you need to make a great physical vision board.  Ideas for making a digital board are discussed later in this article.

1. Blank sheets of paper or whiteboard for the initial layout.
2. Poster board, cork bulletin board, or canvas.  This will serve as the foundation for your vision board. The size you choose depends on where you want to display it and how many pictures, quotes, and affirmations you have, and other design elements you will include.
3. Pictures, magazine clippings, and images that represent whom you want to or where you want to go.  They can come from photo albums, phones, magazines, or your favorite online site.   Cut them out and collect them in a pile.
4. Quotes, intentions, or phrases that represent your dream or goal. Type these out or download and paste them from a digital source.
5. Scissors. Use scissors to cut out the images and words you want to include.
6. Glue or transparent tape. Glue or tape to attach the images and words to your board or canvas.
7. Markers or colored pens and pencils. You can use markers or pens to write your own inspirational quotes or affirmations on your vision board. Additionally, seeing your handwriting adds a special touch.
8. Optional supplies. We also suggest using push pins, gel pens, personal photos, stickers, construction paper cutouts, buttons, miniature clothespins, magnets, streamers, artificial flowers, or other items with special meaning.

Read: Nourish Your Soul: Prayers, Meditations, & Affirmations for Your Emotional Eating Recovery

How to Create a Weight Loss Vision Board

Now that we’ve explored the benefits of making the board and the supplies you need to make one, it’s time to make one.

Identify Your Goals

Once you’ve clarified why you want to lose weight, it’s time to be specific about other indicators that let you know when you will reach your goals. So, do you know how much you weigh and how much you want to lose? 

As mentioned in a previous post, you also need to answer these questions:

1. What is your ideal or dream weight? 
2. What is your preferred or dream dress size?
3. If you never achieved your desired weight, what weight would be acceptable?
4. What size would be acceptable if you never achieved your desired dress size?
5. How will my life change when I reach my goal?

Remember, your “dream” weight is how much you really, really want to weigh.  It may not be realistic, but this is your goal weight.

Your vision and goals should not be restricted to losing weight. So, make a board that also explores your other dreams and goals to live your best life.  The bottom line is that you want to have a healthy relationship with your body. 

Sketch a Draft

Sketch out what you want your board to look like on a blank sheet of paper or whiteboard. You will go through several drafts before you find one you like.  Be patient. It does not have to be done in one day.

Gather Your Supplies

Find a place with a large surface to work on (e.g., a table, desk, dressmaker cutting board, or floor).  Now, look at your sketch on your paper and use a ruler to help designate where different elements will go.  Consider putting your goal weight or the image of the outfit you want to get into in the center of the board.  Indeed, this serves as a motivator.

Start Creating

Think about what you’d like to create. So, start with what to put in the middle of the design.  This may include pictures of the clothes you want to get, your next vacation, or the invitation to your friend’s wedding. Or you can put your dream weight in big red numbers in the center of the board.  

Next, arrange the elements on your poster board or canvas in a way that feels right to you. Use a simple, minimalistic design and avoid cluttering it.

Display Your Design

Once you’re satisfied with the design, put it in a prominent location where you will look at it every day. Great places to hang your design include over your desk or on a wall in the kitchen or bathroom.  When you see it every day, it focuses your mind and strengthens your determination. 

Take a Picture of Your Design

It’s a great idea to take a picture of your design.  Indeed, it makes a great screensaver for your phone, tablet, or computer.  Additionally, you will have it when you need a boost in the day or when you travel.

Refresh Your Design Regularly

It is important to update and refresh your design occasionally.  This helps whether you’re meeting your health and weight goals or missing the ones that you’ve set.  So, refresh it when you have self-doubt or feel overwhelmed or discouraged by your big vision.  Take a break and start again in a few days.  Update your pictures, set new goals and intentions, and find new empowering words and quotes. You can also look for new fun ways to get fit and new healthy foods to try.

How to Create a Digital Weight Loss Vision Board

I confess that I am a techie. Thus, a digital board works better for me than a physical one. Instead of using a physical board and cutting and pasting images, I create a digital version on my computer.  Undeniably, you will enjoy the process of making a digital board.  Here’s what you need:

1. Computer, phone, or tablet.  I prefer using a computer because I prefer working on a larger screen.  I often use the mouse to cut, paste, and move the elements around.  A tablet with a digital pencil also works well if you’re proficient at it.     
2. Software, app, or cloud service.   The easiest and most accessible thing to use is a presentation or slide software such as PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Apple Keynote. Other options are to use cloud-based sites like Canva, Adobe Spark, or PicMonkey.  Many of these sites have free versions.   
3. Images and quotes.   One of the best things about a digital design is that you have all the elements at the click of a button.  You can retrieve your personal photos from the cloud or search for images online.  Additionally, you can search for words of inspiration, emojis, GIFs, and other elements to use and reinforce your vision. 
4. Screenshots. Include screenshots of books to motivate you.

The process of putting it together is similar to making a physical board.  Once you have your images and text, start arranging them on your digital canvas.  Be sure to take short breaks and save the work as you go.

Download and save your design to your digital device when it is done.  You can also print and put it on a physical board.

Affirmations and Motivational Quotes for Weight Loss Vision Boards

Positive Affirmations for Your Health and Fitness Journey

• I am worthy of a healthy body, mind, and soul.
• My weight does not define me.
• I release all guilt and shame about my body.
• I am committed to reaching my weight loss goals.
• Today is a great day to crush my goals.
• I will persist until I succeed.
• I do not need food to comfort me.
• Food cannot feed an empty heart.
• I love the body that I have right now.
• I embrace my curves and thickness.
• Fear does not own me.

Motivational Quotes for Your Weight Loss Journey

• “I need to see my own beauty and continue to be reminded that I am enough.” (Tracee Ellis Ross).
• “I’m not ashamed of what I am and that I have curves and that I’m thick. I like my body.” (Alicia Keys)
• “I realized that beauty was not a thing that I could acquire or consume; it was something that I had to be.” (Lupita Nyongo)
• “I am my inspiration.” (Lizzo)
• “I was built this way for a reason, so I’m going to use it.” (Simone Biles)
• “Being a woman of curves, I really find that it’s very important to talk about loving your body where you are.” (Danielle Brooks)
• “You can be whatever size you are, and you can be beautiful both inside and out.” (Serena Williams)
• “Beauty is when you can appreciate yourself. When you love yourself, that’s when you’re most beautiful.” (Zoe Kravitz)
• “Speak up for yourself and what you believe in. You can still be an elegant woman and be strong and powerful. (Misty Copeland)

Now, It’s Your Turn

Well, I hope you feel more confident and educated about the benefits of a vision board and how to create one to help you lose weight.  Indeed, creating a vision board is an awesome way to help you clarify your goals, boost your motivation, enhance your sense of purpose, and improve your visualization skills. Undoubtedly, in the long run, you will consistently take actions that move you toward your goals. 

So, take some time to create your physical or digital board, and let it inspire you to manifest your dreams.

I think that you will enjoy these posts on setting SMART goals to manage stress eating, learning to eat slowly, and buying fitness equipment for your home gym.

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