Since mentality and self-esteem are a huuuuuuuuuge part of weight loss, I think it would be great to have a section devoted to just that. I don't see one already here, apologies if it exists and I missed it (if that's so, please tell me where it is!).

Thanks!

I agree. It is very important.

mentality more than self esteem

Would you expand that thought?

the biggest obstacle in weight loss that many people face - especially those with more than 20 -30lbs to lose is having the mind in the right place to lose weight... and overcoming the hurdle that is the mental aspect of weight loss. Anyone can lose weight -it's really not hard to do... It's just a matter of paying attention... but until your mind says that you're ready to do it... it is hard....

5 words for you!

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Besides all the great advice you've received so far Liza, you could start a diary and people tend to be really supportive of you there, too. (Which would, in turn, help out your self esteem.)

And thanks for the replies to my asking for expansion everybody.

ive found that self esteem is more often than not related to how you look If you are fat you have less. so you loose weight, you gain self esteem and confidance (and you do!).

you dont need self esteem to loose weight, you need to loose weight to get self esteem.

This is truth.

David

I'm going to disagree with you on that.

I've tried and failed at losing weight so many times in my life that I can't even count. I believe that this time I'm successful because I've also been working on my self-esteem. I've been reading books, forums and blogs about body image, feminism, HAES and size acceptance, which I think have made me more comfortable with the body I have and thus more able to set realistic goals and stick to my weight loss routines. Instead of hating myself because omg I'll never be a size 2, I know what my body is capable of and I'm more focused on how I feel; how I look is an added perk.

And you don't NEED to lose weight to gain self-esteem. That's the route I chose, but there are tons of people out there who work on their self-image without changing anything physical about themselves. There's the size acceptance movement. Health at any size. Feminism. Etc. It's 100% possible to love yourself without changing yourself. And to love yourself without being thin.