For many people, the topic of weight can be a painfully sore subject to talk about. In a society that seems to be appearance – driven, we’re exposed to comments about our weight and our body beginning early in childhood. As we age, the feedback from our family, peers, teachers, health professionals and others affects the way we view ourselves and influences our confidence. And, as time goes on, this feedback becomes increasingly important to us.
If you’re on the journey toward improved weight and health, having strong self-esteem plays a big role in building long-lasting success! That’s why it’s important to understand what factors influence your self- esteem and how you can develop a strong, positive perception of yourself that will carry you all the way to a healthier future!
What Shapes Our Self -Esteem?
When we understand how our self-esteem has been shaped and influenced throughout our lives, we gain a greater awareness of what needs to change and what doesn’t.
- People we spend time with – The groups of people you surround yourself with have a strong impact on your self-perception. Consider your family, friends, co-workers, teachers, coaches and members of groups that you’re a part of. Their comments and feedback usually affect the way we feel about ourselves.
- Our desire for affection – Human beings crave love and affection. This kind of psychological craving begins in childhood as we seek out care from the adults in our lives. That innate desire never truly goes away, even in adulthood!
- Our desire for approval -We also have a strong need for affirmation and recognition. We may seek approval from our parents, teachers, leaders and supervisors, bosses, etc. This strong desire may grow bigger with time, and it makes us especially vulnerable to the comments of others.
- Feedback – Think about the words and actions throughout your life that have made you feel a certain way. Examples include winning or losing, work evaluations, not being picked for a team, being ignored, interactions with other people or job interviews.
Tips for Building Self-Esteem
- Give yourself “permission” to feel good – Sometimes, we feel as though we have to ask permission to feel good about ourselves. Instead, tell yourself “I give myself permission to love who I am and feel great!”
- Speak words of affirmation out loud – Practice positive thinking through words of affirmation such as “I am affirm my intelligence” or “I affirm my hard work. I’m on the right track!” Most importantly, tell yourself that you are ENOUGH and affirm that you will be successful at whatever it is you set out to do!
- Leave yourself reminders – Take those positive statements from above and find creative ways to remind yourself of them throughout the day. Leave a sticky note on your work agenda, or write them on your mirror. However you choose to remind yourself to be confident, repeat these words throughout the day and they’ll help build your self-esteem!
- Seek counseling or life-coaching – There is no shame in asking for help to feel good about yourself while you’re on the journey towards improved weight and health. Success requires confidence!
Want more information about self-esteem and tips for boosting it? You can read the full article from Your Weight Matters Magazine by CLICKING HERE.
Do you have positive feedback to give other Campaign Challengers to help them on their own journey? Share with us in the comments below!
