Be self-compassionate
Are your friends perfect? Probably not. When they fall down you pick them back up. Give yourself the same permission to be imperfect!
People who practice self-compassion are more likely to eat well, be active, and take good care of themselves, even when stressed.₃
They’re also better able to maintain their weight loss!₄ And the benefits don’t stop with weight loss: studies show that when you take your successes and failures in your stride, you may find that you’re less afraid of failure₅ and more satisfied with life.₆
Ways to be kind to yourself
Don’t beat yourself up when you slip up or if things don’t go your way – while still being accountable for your actions.
Think kind, encouraging thoughts about yourself when things are fantastic, and also when they’re not going so well.
3 Terry ML, et al. Self-compassionate reactions to health threats. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. 2013;39(7):911-926.
4 Mantzios M, Wilson JC. Exploring mindfulness and mindfulness with self-compassion-centered interventions to assist weight loss: Theoretical considerations and preliminary results of a randomized pilot study. Mindfulness. 2014 Jul 24;1-12.
5 Neff KD and Dahm KA. “Self-compassion: what it is, what is does, and how it relates to mindfulness,” in M. Robinson, B. Meier & B. Ostrafin (Eds.) Mindfulness and Self-Regulation. New York: Springer 2014
6 Neff KD, Kirkpatrick KL, Rude SS. An examination of self-compassion in relation to positive psychological functioning and personality traits. Journal of Research in Personality. 2007;41:908-916.