Since I was in the conversation, let me put in my 2 cents!

Practicing affirmations is creating a future history for yourself. In other words, if your goal is to lose 20 lbs, you visualize being 20lbs thinner as a current reality.

The more your mind becomes comfortable with that reality, the more your actions will follow.

The practice of affirmations without visualization and emotional attachments is ineffective. You must both see yourself and feel the positive emotions associated with living a healthy lifestyle.