Women can be their own worst critics, especially when it comes to loving their bodies. Sure, everyone should take care of themselves, but that doesn't always have a single thing to do with their weight. In fact, if you are on a weight loss journey, it's even more important than ever that you love the skin you're in.
You might think that losing 10 pounds or 50 pounds will make you feel better, and physically it might. That's not going to do much if you don't address the underlying body image issues. Studies have linked negative body image perspectives and depression in young women. So, learning to love yourself really will have an overall positive effect on your health. But how do you retrain your brain?
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1. Treat Yourself Well
First of all, stop being so critical of yourself. Being kind when you speak to yourself is very important. Try to catch the negative thoughts you are having and redirect yourself. If you wouldn't say something to a friend or family member you love, don't say it to yourself. Instead of putting yourself down, talk to yourself the way you'd speak to the other women in your life. One place you can start doing this is in your closet.
2. Wear Whatever You Want
Have you stopped wearing outfits you love? Maybe you add those plus size rompers and hot skinny jeans to your wardrobe again.
Here's what you need to remember before you start criticizing yourself when you get dressed: are you comfortable? If you feel good, wear it. If someone says something to you, smile and walk away. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life anyway.
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3. Take Care of Your Body
If you want to lose some weight, that's fine. Taking care of your body is important, it's the only one you have. Go ahead and have a conversation with your physician about your weight loss goals.
Just remember, don't be hard on yourself if you slip up when you start your journey. And don't focus on the numbers on your scale, pay attention to how you feel physically.
4. Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Women
Social media makes it really hard not to look at other women and think, "I wish I looked like them." You have to stop doing it though. Everyone has something they hate about their bodies, even that Instagram model who looks like she is without flaws.
You don't need to compare yourself to anyone else, because it doesn't help you in any way. You just end up feeling terrible.
5. Love Yourself
Learning to love yourself isn't going to happen overnight. You are going to have days when you slip up and the negativity is going to flow from you like Niagara Falls. When you have a day like that, it's okay. You are allowed to fall off the wagon of positivity. We all do it. Just make sure you get back on it the next morning.
Treating yourself well isn't just going to help you when you want to lose weight. It's going to help you feel better at work and in your personal relationships. Truly, the best thing you can do is wake up every day with an appreciation for your body, both inside and out.
