14 Mantras to Lift Yourself Up

“I think I can. I think I can.” We all know mantras can be helpful in reaching goals. Whether it’s powering through a plateau to lose those last 10 pounds or pushing yourself to get through the last mile of that 5k, for fitness and weight loss, positive self-talk can be essential.

But before you can start thinking positive, you must clear away the negative clutter floating around your mind. Though you may not realize it, you have running conversations with yourself all the time, says Allen Weg, EdD, a New Jersey-based cognitive behavioral therapist and former WeightWatchers® member. “You think to yourself, ‘This is too hard. I can’t do it,’” Weg explains. "But think about it realistically. How do you know that just because you haven’t done something before, it’s truly impossible?”

Sometimes the awareness starts organically. It can be an “a-ha” moment that jolts people into reality, Weg says. “There’s no magic formula that can make people see success, but if a doctor tells you you’re on the path to diabetes or if you realize you can no longer fit into your favorite dress, that might be the day you decide once and for all you can and will get healthy.”

That positive self-talk is important. “Try keeping a journal or ask yourself to list positive things about yourself,” he says. If that seems difficult, step outside the box. What would your mother or your best friend say about you?” The important thing is to not let yourself run away with the negative thoughts in your head.