The Dash by Linda Ellis

"Are there things you'd like to change?"

Bad (BAD) Words

"Loser."
"You can't do that!" "Don't even try."

"You are not as fit (smart, pretty, outgoing,...) as her."

"You are so lazy."

"You cheated on your diet."

"So stupid, why are you always so stupid?"
WOULD SPEAK THOSE WORDS to a friend? A child?
How about YOURSELF?

Words matter. We choose them very thoughtfully when we are communicating with other people, but do we give the same consideration to them when we talk to ourselves? Think about talking to children...you craft your words wisely because you know you can affect their self-esteem and self-worth..do you know you can hurt yourself in the same way?

Change your words NOW. I remember meeting my personal trainer after work back in 2011 for a session. We never made it to the gym floor... I sat in the Bally's front office for 30 minutes sobbing about things in my life that were really hurting me. After 30 minutes, Diane asked me to change one thing in the next week. She asked me to start using positive affirmations. After the biggest eye roll (EVER) from me, she explained that affirmations can just be factual statements. They are free of judgement. It was hard for me at first, but now it's just a habit. I don't put myself down. There is no reason to. You can get there...just practice.

Affirm. Affirmations do NOT have to sound like this...
"'I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and, doggonit, people like me!" ~Stuart Smally 

Affirmations can be factual...try to keep the language positive.

• I choose my words wisely when talking to myself. 
• I make decisions about my fitness.
• While on this "diet", I chose to enjoy a hamburger and fries.
• I am going to enjoy this walk today. (Not... "I can't run or I can't do the moves everyone else does.")
• I choose to sleep in this morning instead of work out.

Affirmations are intended to EMPOWER us. We get to make our own decisions and we do not have to feel guilty because of them. Try it. Craft your words wisely. 

YOU DESERVE TO HEAR GOOD THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF.