Someone asked me this week what I thought the key was to losing weight.

My answer was, “Self-love.”

Sure, through sheer willpower you can go on a diet and do an exercise program, and you will lose weight. But chances are if you don’t change the underlying thoughts, feelings, and beliefs you have about yourself, what you deserve, and your true value, as soon as you meet your goal, the weight will start packing back on.

Self-love impacts us at many, many levels.

Not only does it generate positive anabolic energy that rebuilds your body starting at the cellular level, but it actually inspires loving action—towards yourself and others. This includes naturally picking foods that resonate with your body, wanting to move, and consciously choosing to be happy.

And when you take into consideration the Foundation Principle that “Energy Attracts Like Energy,” also known as the Law of Attraction, these positive thoughts, feelings, and actions actually build on themselves and generate momentum that helps you get the body that you want.

There are a lot of misconceptions about self-love. Self-love is not about conceit or thinking you are “higher and mightier” than anyone else.

In fact, when you are coming from a true place of self-love, it spills over onto everyone—and everything—else. When you recognize and acknowledge your own intrinsic value, you automatically see it in others. When you feel an abundance of love there is no need to put conditions on, or limit the love that you give in any way.

While loving yourself sounds easy, if you have been practicing self-loathing for a while, it takes practice to shift your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs to self-acceptance, self-appreciation, and ultimately self-love.

Don’t believe me? Go stand in front of a mirror, look deeply into your eyes, and say with all your heart, “I love you.”

If saying that feels like a big fat lie that is a huge indication of why you struggle with your weight (please refer back to Energy Attracts Like Energy).

The good news is that self-love is the Source of who you are, and it is a powerful beacon calling you towards it. All you have to do is ease up on the thoughts of self-criticism and you will begin to naturally turn towards it.

It is only hard to do that because you have a well-established negative thought pattern going on that has some momentum behind it (please refer back to Energy Attracts Like Energy).

You just have to ease up on yourself, and ease up, and ease up. It’s like tapping the brakes of your car to slow yourself when you are going at a high rate of speed. If you try to slam on the breaks, you are likely to be in an accident. Instead, you just gently and gradually slow the momentum and soon you are able to get off at the next exit and get going in the direction you want to go.

How you do you begin to slow your momentum and turn towards self-love?

What is one thing you can appreciate about yourself right now? Really get behind that thought and feel the appreciation. Do that again tomorrow. And then think about two things about yourself you can appreciate. Do that every day and add to the list.

The more you do that, the more you will naturally move towards that ever-present beacon of love that is pulsing from your True Self.

Together we can do it!