I have decided to post 28 simple natural weight loss tips for February to this blog. (And since I am starting this on February 2, I will have to post every day, and twice, at least one day, to make 28 tips.

I wanted to start with this tip: Be gentle with yourself.

You may be wondering what that has to do with natural weight loss tips, so I will explain what I mean, and how it relates to natural weight loss.

First, you need to understand that you did not gain the weight overnight, (although, I know from experience it can feel like it happened overnight) and you should not expect to lose it overnight. Don’t beat yourself up because you saw something in an advertisement about someone losing a huge amount of weight very rapidly, and you are finding it challenging to lose a pound or two a week. (I think gradual weight loss is more sustainable, because it involves creating new habits around eating, hopefully healthier ones, and making better decisions about what and how much to eat.)

Secondly, if you mess up and eat something you were trying to avoid, don’t use it as an excuse to give up completely. See it for what it is, a little slip up, make a better choice next time. (In other words, if you eat a chocolate chip cookie, don’t say “I have no will power” and then eat an entire bag of cookies; just let it pass, and work at making a better choice next time. Your will power becomes stronger or weaker, based on the choices you make every day. Make the choice that feels strengthening.

So, my first natural weight loss tip is: Be gentle with yourself.