There’s something special about live talks and Q&As. They always make me think deeply — about my own journey and about you, our wonderful community of podders. So when I was asked to speak at an event about the vital role of mindset in weightloss, I jumped at the chance – after all I wrote my Sunday Times Bestselling book ‘The Weight’s Over’ on the subject! I also discussed the Slimpod programme.
This prompted someone to ask me: “Why is Slimpod different?”
And my answer was this: when I first discovered the science behind it all, it felt like walking through the wardrobe into another world. Suddenly I understood how the mind works, how it connects to the body, and how much freedom comes when you rebuild that relationship.
I see this every day with the thousands of Slimpodders in our community. People join because they want to lose weight, but along the way, they discover something much greater: joy for life, for clothes, for themselves.
- Like Biddy, whose confidence soared so much she went from struggling to leave the house to getting on a plane for the first time in 20 years.
- Like Lorraine, who swapped years of hiding in black clothes for a rainbow of colour.
- Like Tanya, who told me that the weight she’s lost from my head that was beating me up all the time. It’s worth 8 stone to me. And she’s getting married!
Listen to all their stories and more here!
These are the stories that light me up. Because when self-compassion enters the picture, everything changes.
The Science of Self-Compassion
This isn’t just a “nice” idea — it’s proven. Research by Dr Kristin Neff shows that practising self-compassion lowers cortisol, the stress hormone linked to weight gain around the abdomen. Lower stress means your body is less likely to hold on to fat as a defence mechanism.
Other studies show that self-compassion helps to:
- Reduce binge and emotional eating — because you’re no longer caught in the guilt–restriction cycle.
- Build resilience — so when you slip up, you bounce back instead of spiralling.
- Improve body image — replacing shame with self-respect.
- Boost motivation — not through fear or criticism, but through genuine care for yourself.
And perhaps most importantly, it quietens that harsh inner critic and replaces it with a kinder, more encouraging inner coach.
That’s why Slimpod works. It helps you rediscover a way of living where food is no longer an enemy and you stop being at war with your body.
How You Can Start Today
Here are a few simple ways you can boost your self-compassion and “love yourself slimmer”:
- Mind your self-talk – when you catch a critical thought, reframe it: “I’ve messed up again” becomes “I’m learning and growing.”
- Treat yourself like a friend – ask: What would I say to someone I love in this situation? Then say that to yourself.
- Practise gratitude – note down one thing each day you appreciate about yourself.
- Engage in self-care – carve out time for what makes you happy, whether that’s a walk, a bath, or reading a good book.
- Be patient – this is a skill that grows over time. Every act of kindness towards yourself matters.
Remember: this isn’t about letting yourself “off the hook.” It’s about balancing acceptance with growth. You can love who you are and work towards who you want to be.
Join Me in Birmingham
If this resonates with you, I’d love to invite you to my next talk at the Mind Body Spirit Festival in Birmingham on the 13–14 November. I’ll be speaking about the powerful mind–body connection in weight loss — and why the brain has to be involved in any approach, even weight loss injections.
It’s going to be an inspiring weekend, and I’d love to see you there. You can get your tickets here.
