Pre-OPs.. Newly Post Ops .. Or Anyone for that Matter ..

Last January I did a seminar on Self Esteem . I want to share it with you all today . As you go through your journey , many changes start to happen to your body , you begin seeing yourself thinner . I know for one , being Obese most of my life .. sometimes shut down my self esteem . But now is the time that you can learn to love yourself . You can be it all . Loving yourself is so very important . You must love yourself .. it does not mean you are stuck up .. or think you are better than anyone else .. it simply means .. and shows that you love you .. no matter what .  I hope you gain something from this today !  ******************************************** Self Esteem is the Key

 

You can't touch it, but it affects how you feel. You can't see it, but it's there when you look at yourself in the mirror. You can't hear it, but it's there every time you talk about yourself. What is this important but mysterious thing? It's your self-esteem!

What Is Self-Esteem?

To understand self-esteem, it helps to break the term into two words. Let's take a look at the word esteem first. Esteem (say: ess-teem) is a fancy word for thinking that someone or something is important or valuing that person or thing. For example, if you really admire your friend's dad because he volunteers at the fire department, it means you hold him in high esteem. And the special trophy for the most valuable player on a team is often called an esteemed trophy. This means the trophy stands for an important accomplishment.

And self means, well, yourself! So put the two words together and it's easier to see what self-esteem is. It's how much you value yourself and how important you think you are. It's how you see yourself and how you feel about your achievements.

Self-esteem isn't bragging about how great you are. It's more like quietly knowing that you're worth a lot (priceless, in fact!). It's not about thinking you're perfect - because nobody is - but knowing that you're worthy of being loved and accepted.

Why Self-Esteem Is Important

Self-esteem isn't like a cool pair of sneakers that you'd love to have but don't have to have. Everyone needs to have self-esteem. Good self-esteem is important because it helps you to hold your head high and feel proud of yourself and what you can do. It gives you the courage to try new things and the power to believe in yourself. It lets you respect yourself, even when you make mistakes. And when you respect yourself, adults and other kids usually respect you, too.

Having good self-esteem is also the ticket to making good choices about your mind and body.  If you have good self-esteem, you know that you're smart enough to make your own decisions. You value your safety, your feelings, your health - your whole self! Good self-esteem helps you know that every part of you is worth caring for and protecting.

 Self esteem is related to your self worth and your value. Building self esteem is a first step towards your happiness and a better life.

Self esteem increases your confidence. If you have confidence you will respect yourself. If you respect yourself you can respect others, improve your relationships, your achievements and your happiness....

Low self esteem causes depression, unhappiness, insecurity and poor confidence. Other's desires may take preference over yours. Inner criticism, that nagging voice of disapproval inside you, causes you to stumble at every challenge and challenges seem impossible.

How to improve your esteem and confidence

Want to increase your self confidence at work, enjoy presentations, improve your relationships,

1. Face your fears - they aren't as bad as you think they are. Facing your fears increases your confidence.

2. Forget your failures - learn from them. Avoid making the same mistakes again but don't limit yourself by assuming you failed before so you can't succeed this time. Try again, you're wiser and stronger. Don't be trapped in the past!

3. Know what you want and ask for it. You deserve your dreams to come true.

4. Reward yourself when you succeed. No-one else will! Isn't everything easier when you take time to help yourself?

5. Talk - We often make assumptions about a situation or person which are not true. Your attitude and behavior can be negatively affected so if you have any doubt or question ask and don't assume you know why or how. There is much more about this point and about many of the others in a wonderful book I have read recently. I personally recommend you to read it too as you're going to get a lot out of it. It's called The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz6. Don't be defeated! Try something else. You are not going to be defeated by one failed attempt are you? Doesn't everyone fail before they succeed? All you need is a different approach. Good luck! I wish you happiness and success

Focus on the parts of your body you like Dress to emphasis what you have and look good

Stop comparing yourself to others

Start an exercise program

Eat healthy food and stay away from diets

Play sports as often as you can Walk as much as you can

Write down compliments you receive about how you look

Straighten up, smile and look straight ahead - you'll look and feel more confident  WORDS OF INSPIRATION

Increase your self esteem and your sense of self worth, read these quotes and reflect on their meaning:

- Living:

Words of inspiration can inspire you daily read them and speak them often!

- self esteem and happiness:

Listen to your inner voice and follow them for it is wisdom that knows what is best for you.

Talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

Think only of the best, to work only for the best and expect only the best-you deserve nothing less.

Care about the happiness and success of others and offer them all the help and encouragement they need.

Forget your past mistakes and focus on your successes encouraging yourself to greater achievements in the future.

Always do your best so you can be proud that you gave it your best shot.

When you help someone ask nothing in return, you will receive your reward ten times over.

 

LEARN TO LOVE YOU .. !!

Thank you Nat. As always, words of inspiration..... God bless, Cath

Good stuff! Our next support group meeting topic is Self Image After Weightloss Surgery.  I am really looking forward to that topic.

Hi Thank you so much for those words of wisdom. I got alot from that. Cheris

Thanks Nat.

I have a friend that suffers from low self esteem. If you don't mine I am going to send this post to her. She is also dealing with weight issues.

 

Mo

As always, you are full of..................ummmmmmm...................great information!  Yeah, that's the ticket! You have been an inspiration to me since looooong before I ever met you.  No one, and I mean NO ONE, gives better advice or more support on this board than you do.  Thank you, Tink!