It is easy to allow your mind to think negatively about yourself. If you are not pleased with how you look every time you look in the mirror or when you get naked, chances are that at no matter what size you are, you will STILL feel negative about your image. If you are negative while you try to lose weight, it will take you longer to reach your healthy body goal. Right now as you begin your weight loss journey to a healthier happier you (like me) the key is to imagine the rewarding outcome of success. Keep that image in your mind as your daily motivation to keep you going. When you are stuck in that rut of being depressed on how you look and feel, your brain does not have the chance to focus on making that healthy lifestyle change. People tend to be emotional eaters and when you are down on yourself it is easy to sabotage the plan with food. Think yourself healthy, think yourself beautiful and attractive, think yourself confident. When you do, others notice and when they notice you notice. Tell yourself every time you look in the mirror, I AM beautiful, I WILL exchange my lifestyle for a healthier one, I can and WILL do it! You are doing this not for society, not for him/her, but for YOU. You are changing your lifestyle for a healthier, sexier, happier you because YOU deserve it!
HELPFUL TIPS FOR YOUR JOURNEY…
- Are you a visual person? Grab some photos/magazines and cut up body parts to imagine what you will look like. Put the pictures in your weight loss journal or up on the wall so you see it everyday. Imagine all the body parts together as your personal end result.
- Are you more auditory? Record yourself telling yourself that you are beautiful and will succeed. I know, I know, that sounds narcissist but it’s not. Your affirming your beliefs to yourself and motivating yourself to be the best that you can be. When you make positive affirmations about yourself you are giving yourself hope.
- Be patient with yourself. You did not gain all the weight and get out shape over night. It took time for the pounds to creep up. Give yourself a reasonable amount of time to lose the weight. When you lose weight slowly you have a less chance of having saggy skin, being emotionally irritable due to deprivation, or worse gaining it all back and more.
- Set mini goals. Focus on each mini goal and then add on a new one once you have mastered the previous. Don’t drink enough water? Start with that. Aren’t active enough? Work on that. Not eating a balanced diet which includes portion control? Do that. You get the picture. Set mini goals that are attainable.
- Reward yourself. When you lose your first 5-10 pounds, pamper yourself with a body care treatment. When you lose 10-20 pounds buy yourself a new outfit. {I advise against going out to eat to celebrate a loss.}
- Get the support of your friends and family. When they are supportive, your journey won’t be as hard.
- Change old “fat” and “lazy” habits. Substitute snack foods for something healthier, park farther away to walk to your destination, or walk up the stairs instead of using the elevator.
Today start thinking yourself thinner, healthier, sexier, and happier and you WILL succeed.
I AM BEAUTIFUL AND STRONG!
TODAY’S MOOD:
“I feel pretty! Oh So Pretty!”
