[ironlovehandles]

I mean something encouraging. I used to be in the "You're fat. You're ugly. You'll never be who you want to be or do what you want to do" camp.
Now, I am much more positive and loving with myself, and want to start purposefully encouraging myself.
Things like, "You are beautiful. You can do anything you want to do. You are strong."

So, tell me how you encourage yourselves! Maybe I'll add it to my repertoire.

[madmadz]

I tell myself 1000 times a day "you can do this." I usually tell myself this when I am trying to stick to my diet and exercise routine.

[shr1nk1ngme]

I tell myself, "Nobody else is gonna do it for you. You have to do this for yourself, because you are worth it." Every. Day.

[Unna]

I tell myself "Everything counts" and "This is for the rest of your life"- in a positive way. So, even if I only managed eating a maintenance level of calories for the day and got in no exercise - I still know I did something good, something to promote my own health and happiness.

[marigrace]

You're doing great. It is starting to show. Don't go back.

[IsobelRose22]

Just do it (or not do it as the case maybe) is my mantra, its helped in forcing me to exercise and to stick to the diet plan.

[finn]

It probably sounds daft but I try to find one thing that I like about my body/appearance each morning....like my hair, freckles, my thighs look slimmer, more definition, clothing fit etc. It can be the same thing for many days in a row, and on the days where I'm feeling bloated/crappy etc, I still say something like my legs ain't perfect, but they are better than what they used to look like and will look even better next month!

[ironlovehandles]

I love it! And Finn, I really like your idea of purposefully LIKING your body. Speaking of 'sounding daft', I think I am going to treat my body more like I treat my three-year-old.
When my body is screaming, "BUT I WANT SOME CHOCOLATE! *STOMP*" I will use the "Would you say that to your kid?" test. Instead of answering, "No. I told you, no chocolate for you. Ever. I don't want you to be fat because you embarrass me." I will answer, "Maybe after you have had something healthy to eat (when you are hungry) you can have one piece of chocolate. I want you to be strong and healthy, and chocolate is not conducive to strength and health. But it sure is yummy!"

[indiblue]

I remind myself how fortunate I am to have a healthy, functioning body. I have two arms, two legs, I can run and jump, and even when I am frustrated at pudges here and there I should be grateful for that.

We all have our physical limitations and I'm fortunate that mine are more minor than others- some joint problems in my knees and hips. Regardless of what we can't do we all have things we can do- physical and mental- and being grateful for that helps me keep things in perspective

[sontaikle]

I look at myself every day and I remind myself that I'm not dreaming and yes I do look awesome

[ShanIAm]

I tell myself -- DO NOT LET THOSE GOLDEN ARCHES BEAT YOU!

[stellarosa27]

I tell myself that I'm worth it. For years I didn't take care of myself because I didn't think that, and I still have to convince myself sometimes

I also don't do the whole "body hatred" thing anymore. I used to HATE my legs - but I don't say that anymore, b/c yes, my calves are huge and my thighs will always rub together, but that's because they're MUSCULAR...and there's nothing wrong with that

[AndrewCribbs]

I tell myself that when I purchase from the gap I am paying to gain weight. I am not giving them my money any more. I want to pay for food that makes me healthy and look in a way that makes me feel good about myself.

[free1]

"I'M IN CONTROL OF ME."

Sometimes I have to remind myself daily that food and cravings can't control me that I control them.

[rachaelm]

I tell myself every day that I can do this. I will do this. I will not quit.