Being Kind Can Help You Lose Weight

When you think about someone being kind, what types of images come to your mind? For many people being kind means doing nice things for others. Some show kindness by volunteering at a food bank. Others show their kindness by donating money to a charity. There are also people who believe that giving a small smile or a helping hand to a stranger is their act of kindness. We are kind to those around us, our loved ones and friends. Being kind and doing for others are wonderful character traits. When we are kind, knowing that we have helped another person gives us a sense of peace.

Have you thought lately about how you can be kind to yourself? Many people are so kind to others, yet forget that kindness must start within themselves. By being kind to yourself, you can increase your self-esteem, stay motivated to lose weight, and bring about an internal peace. When you are kind to yourself, you believe that you deserve to be healthy and at your best.

We are often too hard on ourselves. We begin a weight loss journey to lose weight. When that diet fails we begin to think and say bad things about ourselves. We feel that there is no hope. We beat ourselves up by looking back at all of the mistakes that we made throughout the diet. What if we turned that around and were kind to ourselves instead. You did your best, and tomorrow is a new day. I am frequently reminded of the poem below when I think about self-kindness.

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Being kind to ourselves also means that we take time out to be one with ourselves. That means we make moments each day where we are doing something pleasurable for ourselves. Reducing stress and increasing self-esteem can help you stay on a healthy weight loss path. Write down a list of activities that you enjoy doing. This list may include listening to music, reading or taking a walk. You can choose whatever brings you to a place of peace. Fit one activity in each day. Make it “me time”, letting everyone know to not disrupt you.

Weight loss can be hindered when you attempt to take on too much for others. Being kind to yourself is about setting limits with others based on what is best for you. When we carry the burdens of others we cannot work through our own burdens. These burdens may be the emotional trigger for overeating. Set limits and work on you.

Changing the thoughts you have about yourself can be a very difficult task. However, I know that as humans we are strong and resourceful. Begin with changing one aspect of your life to make it more positive. Later, reflect back on how that small change has made a difference. You will begin to see the healthy change you want in your life.