Stop Negative Thoughts from Sabotaging Your Weight Loss

How to Silence Your Inner Critic

If you're like most women, the voices in your head never shut up, so how do you silence your inner critic?

First, you have to decide you want to change. Next, you have to start paying attention to your self-talk. (You can't change what you ignore.) Finally, give your negative thoughts a little negative feedback with a trick Amy has used in the past: Take a normal rubber band and put it on your wrist. Every time that little negative voice enters your brain or you say something negative out loud, pull the band away from your wrist and release it. Yes, we said release it! It's going to sting a little, but that's the point. Believe it or not, many people subscribe to the rubber band technique to overcome bad habits. The sting is a gentle reminder to change your thoughts or words. Think about it: After a few good snaps, you're going to realize how often you cut yourself down and begin to choose your words more wisely.

Now, here's the important part! Right after you release the rubber band, turn your negative into a positive. If you laced up your shoes and thought, "I hate working out," snap the rubber band and then think or say, "I love working out!" The key to this tool is consistency. Experts say that it take approximately 21 days to change a habit. You were pregnant for far longer than that, so you can do anything for 21 days!

Um … Nice Bracelet

OK, now for the dork factor. People are going to ask you about the rubber band, and they might even give you a weird look if you explain it to them. So what? You're a big girl and can take a few funny looks. Just say, "Oh, it's there to remind me of something." If you really want to change, you'll do whatever it takes … even if that means following your own rubber jewelry fashion trends!