Positive self talk is a big deal.  It’s a game changer.  Of all the things I have done to get me where I am today in terms of health and fitness, the positive self talk is probably the most crucial.

1. “Just do better”

2.   ” I can do it”

3.  “Each step is getting me closer”

I was overweight for many years.  So, understandably, there had been many, many, MANY times where I had resolved to “lose the weight”.  And I failed many, many, MANY times.  I can remember once in high school saying, “I’m going on a fast.  It’s a religious one.  Because when I’m skinny, I will thank God!!”.  Yep, I really said that.  One common thread among all of my attempts to lose was that I always had some lofty weight loss goal in terms of pounds and boy did I want instant gratification.  “I’m going to lose 50lbs!”  Three (or less) days later, half a pound (less) lost, and cue binge fest!

4. “I am enough”

5.  “I am worth it”

6.  “I can and I will”

So, something that seemed to work for me this time around was not setting a goal.  Well, I guess I did set a goal, but it was not in terms of pounds/sizes/fat percentages or any such thing.  My goal was simply “Do Better”.  I would tell myself, “just do better”, “you can do better”, “you’ve done better!” and many variations of this simple goal.

I didn’t tell anyone my goal.  Sure, people noticed that I was going to the gym.  I would talk about exercising.  But I would never talk about weight loss goals with my close friends and family.  I didn’t want them rooting for me at that time.  And I have some fabulous friends and family who are an amazing cheering section.  But I needed to be my own cheering section.  I cheered myself on in my head for the first several months of my journey.  Was I always positive?  No.  Did I still have negative thoughts about myself and my progress?  Sure.  But I had an exponential increase in the amount of  positive thoughts flying around in my over-analytical mind compared to my past.  That positive self talk ignited the fire and everything else fueled the flames.