Today is the international day of happiness! So happy, happy day!
Slimpod is about so much more than weight loss—it’s about becoming the person you truly want to be. Many of our members start the programme with weight loss as their goal, but soon realise the biggest transformation happens in their mindset. They feel more confident, more in control, and more positive about themselves.
Positivity isn’t just a nice thing to have—it’s a powerful tool in your journey. It changes the way you see yourself, your choices, and your ability to succeed.
The Shocking Truth About Self-Esteem and Dieting
When I surveyed almost 4,000 former dieters, the results were shocking.
- 92 percent rated their self-esteem as 3 or below (on a scale of 1 to 5).
- Of the 60 percent who rated themselves a 1 or 2, a staggering 80.8 percent said dieting had negatively impacted their self-esteem.
I know exactly how this feels. As someone who was bullied as a child for my weight, and who went through countless diets that left me feeling like a failure, I’ve been there. Dieting chips away at self-esteem, making us believe that our worth is tied to a number on the scales or the hurtful words of others.
But the truth is—positivity can be a powerful antidote to this.
Why Positivity is Essential to Your Journey
‘Positive thinking’ isn’t about pretending everything is perfect. It’s a habit of thinking in a way that is realistic, balanced, and solution-focused.
When you shift your mindset towards positivity, incredible things happen.
Your self-esteem improves—you start seeing yourself as capable and strong.
Your mood lifts—you break free from the cycle of guilt and frustration.
You solve problems more effectively—instead of seeing setbacks as failures, you see them as learning opportunities.
Most importantly, positivity helps to quieten that negative inner voice—the one that tells you you’re not good enough. Over time, this builds self-trust, making it easier to make choices that support your wellbeing.
How to Build Positivity into Your Life
1.Be kind to yourself
- Forgive yourself and stop beating yourself up. If you wouldn’t say it to a friend, don’t say it to yourself.
2.Recognise the positives
- Each day, make a habit of noticing something good, even if it’s small.
- Build a support network
- Surround yourself with positive influences. If you can’t avoid negative people, try reframing their comments in a way that empowers you.
4.Set yourself a challenge
- If you love rewards, create a system. Every time you talk kindly to yourself, put a pebble or sticker in a jar. When you reach a goal, treat yourself to self-care, new clothes, or something meaningful.
- If you love routines, build a mirror high-five or a positive affirmation into your morning.
5.Prioritise self-care
- Self-care isn’t just about having a bath. It’s anything that nourishes you. Whether it’s walking the dog, reading a book, or enjoying a hobby, carve out time just for yourself.
Tanya’s Story
Tanya is one of the fantastic Slimpodders in my Sunday Time’s Best Selling book, The Weights Over, Take Back Control. Tanya had spent years in a cycle of eating too much, drinking too much, and putting everyone else first. As a mum of four and a full-time carer for her elderly parents, she was exhausted—physically and mentally.
She had tried every diet going—counting points, measuring portions, obsessing over the scales. And every time she ‘failed’, her self-esteem took another hit.
But after facing unimaginable personal losses, Tanya realised something had to change. She joined Slimpod—not expecting a miracle, just hoping for something to shift.
And it did.
She stopped stepping on what she called her ‘mood step’ (the scales) every morning. She started noticing the good things—how she felt, how she moved, how she treated herself.
The biggest change? She stopped letting food control her. She ate what she enjoyed, without guilt. She stopped punishing herself. She put herself first—and for the first time in decades, she felt truly free.
If you take one thing from Tanya’s story, let it be this: positivity isn’t about ignoring the hard stuff. It’s about choosing to see what’s possible.
And you deserve to see what’s possible for you.
Read more about Tanya and other podders here.
What’s one positive thing you can do for yourself today?
