TweetWouldn't it be nice if you could wave a wand to erase the extra weight on you? That wand may not exist, but there are tricks that can help you slim down magically by tapping in to the power of your mind. Try these simple strategies from our 30-day Jump Start Diet and--abracadabra--you'll be showing off a sleeker physique in no time.
Pat yourself on the back: Women who view themselves as heavier than they are have a harder time maintaining weight loss after a year, according to a study in Eating and Weight Disorders. Rather than obsessing about thighs that are larger than you’d like, zero in on an area that makes you proud, say, your toned shoulders or killer calves. Love your body and it will love you back, by staying in the shape you desire.
Hop off the anxiety train: Stress is the uninvited crasher that shows up to your weight loss party and kills the mood and your resolve. Tension and anxiety increase your levels of cortisol, the hormone that encourages your body to hold onto dangerous tummy fat. Plus, I don't have to tell you what types of food you seek after a tough day. (If you're like me, it's ice cream, a high-fat, high-calorie choice that soothes the brain.) But rather than retreat to the freezer, hightail it to the gym or take a simple stroll to help you unwind. Your body will thank you!
Let go of guilt: So you ate a brownie. You're human! Forget about it and get back on your healthy eating track. Aiming to be a flawless eater 100 percent of the time is unrealistic, and chastising yourself for caving to a craving can lead to total loss of weight loss resolve. One small slip won't make you suddenly balloon, but letting that trip-up mushroom into days or weeks of overindulging might. See a sample menu that'll help you eat healthy all week.
Cut the emotional cord. Try not to label foods as good or bad and define yourself by the food choices you make on any given day. Make an effort to disentangle the relationship between eating and emotions, so you will be happier, healthier and more in control of your diet. When a craving strikes or you get the urge to overeat, stop, count to 10 and ask yourself if something is bothering you--and what steps you could take to deal with that problem. Chances are, the need to nosh will pass. See how a nutritionist keeps the balance on the Eat Like Me blog.
Slow down: There's no prize for cleaning your plate the quickest. In fact, there's a penalty: You'll likely consume more calories because it takes about 20 minutes for your brain to recognize that you're satisfied. Allow yourself to chew each bite completely before swallowing, and eat your meal in small courses rather than stacking your plate sky-high.
Sign up for the Jump Start Diet to snag more slim-down strategies, or join the SELF Diet Club, where our handy calculators and logs crunch how many calories you consume and burn.

Tweetbefore/after pics help tremendously. they keep motivation high when you start to see the progress