Before you begin to change your behavior, you should step back and evaluate what you want to change.
For example, if you want to learn a language, and you already know a little, then you may need to take a language test. This way, your language teacher will know the proper level to place you in: what you know and what is necessary for you to master the language in the future. When you are at the right level, then you don’t need to worry or be ashamed about the fact that you haven’t yet mastered the grammar of the language you want to learn.
Mirror Exercise
So for our purposes—reducing weight—start your analysis by going to the mirror and look at yourself. How much weight do you want to lose?
The first step to accepting you have a problem. No person in the world has not a problem. Don’t see it as a catastrophe, it’s just a problem.
So please connect the answer to this question always with a positive affirmation:
Practice: Stand in front of your mirror, observe and say to yourself: I love and accept myself unconditionally, even the parts of me (describe them specifically) that are overweight.
I understand that this exercise may be challenging to do, but I encourage you to do it once a day for the next two weeks—and see if you notice a difference. To accept and love yourself only after you have lost the first ten pounds is not the way to go.
As an adult, you must love yourself no matter how you are, no matter what you look like. This is one of the hardest things to do in life; accepting yourself often seems like an eternal battle. But you can do it! You can love yourself while you make the changes you want, and as you do, you will see your excess weight melt away.