Making positive changes requires strong self-esteem. Otherwise, you can easily get caught in the cycle of guilt, feeling like you don't deserve it and beating yourself up when you slip off the "diet" wagon. A healthy self-esteem also helps you to reduce emotional eating, a strong source of those extra pounds.
Most of us don't learn how to love ourselves more. Here are 15 proven strategies for loving yourself more - day after day. You may not want to - or be able to - do all of them at this point in your life. That's not a problem. Even making 5 or 6 of these changes in your life will have a noticeable impact.
So consider these - with an open mind - and chose a few to start now.
1. Treat others with love and respect. Bringing joy to other people's lives will help you find joy in your own. In addition, those that you treat well will likely repay you with the same kindness. Gradually, you will start to feel your worth through the smiles of gratitude.
2. Practice random deeds of kindness. Share your gifts, your time, your knowledge in a nice way - or make a donation to someone in need.
3. Express yourself in writing. Keep a journal or diary; write a short story; write poetry. Write about your experiences (good and bad) and your feelings about them. Get your feelings out - but not on your friends. Writing down your thoughts is particularly helpful when you are working to change your relationship with food.
4. Learn to let go of past events. Hurts, betrayals, disappointments - everyone has them. Acknowledge your feelings about them, but then work to put them behind you. Know that you have grown and changed from your challenges. And most importantly - forgive. Emotional eating can stem from anger, sadness and grief. Letting go will help.
5. Forgive yourself. Stop punishing yourself for something you did or said in the past. Look at that mistake/error as a learning experience. Resolve to not do/say it again and take steps to keep it out of your conscious thoughts.
6. Post positive affirmations in places where you will see them daily. Write short notes to remind yourself of what you like and love about yourself - big things or small. And read each one out loud as you come upon it - at least once/day. While working to change your relationship with food to become your desired weight permanently, affirmations about the body you are creating will provide additional motivation.
7. Celebrate your accomplishments! Don't beat yourself up over the things you have not done, because you may still do them! If you accept yourself, those around you will pick up your lead and follow.
8. List five positive words to describe yourself. Don't use generalities like "nice" - be specific. Memorize the list and repeat it to yourself every day - at least once.
9. Learn to say "no." And don't feel guilty about it! You do not have to do everything you are asked to do or attend everything you are invited to. It's your life - you have the right to say "thank you, but no" - gracefully. Do not overextend yourself just because you think doing something will make someone else happy. Always take care of yourself.
10. Take care of your body. Your body is a temple, so treat it carefully with respect and love. Keep your body healthy and strong with good nutrition and regular exercise. Since body, mind and spirit are all connected, taking care of yourself helps you take care of others - and feels a lot better!
11. Stop seeking perfection. Don't criticize yourself for not being perfect. Always try your best, and acknowledge that some things are your strengths, and some things are not. No one is great at doing everything. That's just part of being human.
12. Engage in life enhancers. Give yourself permission to have fun. Relax. Go for a bike ride or walk, go shopping, sit and read a book, go see that new movie. When you spend time doing something you love, you will experience joy, love and happiness in your being.
13. Learn to see beauty. When you learn to see beauty in the world around you, you will also see beauty in yourself as a part of that world. So stop to smell the flowers, see the leaves turning colors in the fall, watch the sun set, enjoy the first snowflakes of winter. Try to notice everything.
14. Expand your interests. Try doing something new! Visit places you've never been before; learn a foreign language; try a new ethnic food. Remember that you can have an awesome life - but it's up to you to make it happen. Emotional eating can happen when you are bored. Keep your mind engaged and active.
15. Tell yourself the truth. This might be the most difficult one, but to love yourself, you must be able to be truthful about your own feelings. If you are happy, acknowledge the feeling of elation; if you are sad, acknowledge the unhappiness. When you tell yourself the truth about your real feelings, you no longer try to hide your negative emotions. But by acknowledging what you feel, you have a pretty accurate guide to what your thoughts are. Your thoughts can be changed - being present to how you are feeling and thinking will support the changes you are making in your relationship with food.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dee_Wolk
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