Love yourself now!

Let’s kick off the new month with a very important message…in fact it is also the first one we discuss in my 8 week Kickstart Programme…learn to love yourself now.

Without doubt I think this is the thing that women find hardest. Look into a mirror and most of us will immediately zoom in on the parts we are unhappy with.

“I’ll be happy/ more confident/ go out more when I lose a stone/ drop a jean size/ get rid of my muffin top.”

The annoying thing is that even if we do manage to do it, instead of feeling wonderful and on top of the world like imagined, we simply find something else to fixate on and and the cycle begins again.

No more!

It is time to stop ladies. You are already good enough, exactly as you are.

Now in terms of health, energy levels and looking after yourself it is important to work on your fitness levels and make sure you are a healthy size. However, getting into shape, feeling fabulous and full of energy needs to come from a place of positivity not negativity.

Instead of making it all about how you look, think about it in deeper terms…good health is an investment for the future. If you want to live a long and healthy life then look after yourself now.

If you can learn to love yourself then as you achieve your goals (whatever they may be) that feeling will grow and grow.

Of course it’s easier said than done and it will take time. But there’s no time like the present…

Here are my top tips for loving yourself exactly as you are:

Be your own best friend not your worst enemy

Every time you look in a mirror find one thing you love about yourself instead of being critical. Imagine you are talking to your best friend– what would you say to them? You certainly wouldn’t rip them to shreds and point out every little flaw so why do you do it to yourself?

Don’t compare yourself to others

Social media is a nightmare for this. We see snapshots of lives that look perfect. Just remember that people only ever put pictures up that are super flattering or show the best moments. That isn’t real life. Don’t compare how you look in the morning to someone who has just posted a flawless, fully made up pic with filters and good lighting.

Fake it ’til you make it

Confidence goes a long way. You might not feel confident but if you can enter a room with your shoulders back and a smile on your face, that’s the image others will have of you. Slowly that will become normal for you and you’ll do it without even thinking about it.

On that note, get out of the habit of pointing out your flaws to others and not accepting compliments. I have lost count of the women I say something nice to (because we need to build each other up) and I get back a barrage of comments like ‘oh I’m just wearing a lot of make up, I don’t look like this normally’ or ‘yes but look at my fat tummy/ big bum/ etc’ …it is like we are wired to only listen to negative comments and reject all the positive. Next time someone compliments you, say ‘thank-you’ and make a note of it in your head so you can remember it later.

Plus, no one looks at you with the same scrutiny that you look at yourself. When you look down at your body you might see a tummy that sticks out but I promise you no one else does. Most people do a quick visual sweep when they talk to someone else but that’s it. They also look at you straight on so won’t notice if your tummy isn’t as flat as it could be. And to be honest, they are probably too busy worrying about the way they look to even consider your appearance (unless you point it out).

Looks aren’t everything

They really aren’t. Work with what you’ve got and make an effort to feel your best every day but don’t obsess over it. Instead think about who you are as a person. Why do your family and friends love you so much? (I can guarantee it has very little to do with the way you look or what size you are.)

Live your life to the full NOW

Don’t put things off because you don’t like the way you look at the moment. If you feel uncomfortable with your size and weight then come up with goals and take steps to work on it but DON’T put your life on hold whilst you do it. Go out with friends, have a holiday, treat yourself to new clothes. They’ll all help you feel good now. Life is too short to keep waiting until you are perfect (because no one is EVER perfect).

None of this is easy and it takes time to rewire our brains. But, every time you find those negative thoughts spiralling out of control, give yourself a mental slap and immediately list 3 things you like about yourself.

You are you and that is enough. 

If you enjoyed this article, you’d love my 8 week Kickstart programme. Over the 8 weeks we work together to get you feeling as good as possible. It isn’t a diet it is a lifestyle – good food, exercise and getting your head into the right space will transform the way you look and feel.

Still you, just a little more fabulous!

Head over to my Kickstart page by clicking here or contact me to have a chat.