by Janelle Holden
What was the last thing you said to yourself when you looked in the mirror?
Was it nice?
Would you say it to your friend?
My guess?
Probably not.
If you’re like most people, you say to yourself, “Look at those thighs. Ugh. So ugly. I have got to lose weight” and then you think you have just motivated yourself to get yourself to the gym. Right?
Wrong.
We are so hard on ourselves, and we’re so unwilling to give it up because we believe that if we let the constant self-criticism go we’ll lose what little motivation we have to change. I mean, my God, what would that even look like? Constant self-criticism is a heavy burden to carry, and it doesn’t create positive change.
Think about the last time you said something not-so-nice about your body. Or, think about what you don’t like about your body right now.
Now notice how you feel when you think that way about your body. Take a moment here.
What emotion do you feel? Hopeless? Desperate? Shame?
Chances are it’s an emotion that feels pretty rotten (which is why you avoid the mirror and cameras anyway, right?).
And what do you do when you feel rotten about your body?
Hint: You EAT.
Oh!
Yes, that’s right, when we start to tell ourselves more positive stories about our bodies, about our life, about ourselves, and create better feelings in our bodies, it gets much easier to treat our bodies to healthy food, movement, and sweet relief.
My good friend and colleague, Katie McClain, knows how this process works, and in my latest Q&A interview we discuss her weight-loss journey, how she uses better feeling thoughts to motivate herself, and how to coach yourself. Katie is the owner of Katie McClain, Ma Vie Magique (ma vie magique means my magical life) and coaches moms and kids helping them to live happy, stress-free lives. You can find her website and more info at www.katiemcclain.com.
Take a listen to our interview, and if you feel so inspired, leave a NICE comment about your body (one that you would tell a friend about her body) in a comment on this blog and notice how it feels.
Hint: “I like the color of my hair.”
Janelle Holden helps people who are struggling with their lives, their food, and their bodies create empowering mindsets so that they can feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally. To start to feel better in your body, click here to schedule a complimentary Get Acquainted Call with Janelle.
