It’s well known that Valentine’s Day is a holiday centered on love. On this day couples typically exchange gifts, girlfriends get hopeful, boyfriends get nervous, and singles are continually reminded of and guilted by their solitary way of life.

Being among the single ladies this year, I decided to skip the usual “I hate love” party and instead make this month all about loving myself. Think about it: How often do we actually spend time loving ourselves, our body, our mind, and loving the beings that we are?

Someone once suggested that I make the effort to look in the mirror every morning and repeat: “I like myself. I like myself. I like myself.” It may sound strange but you can’t help but smile as you utter those words. The snowball effect is just awesome; the more you say it, the more you believe it. The more you believe it, the better you feel.

All too often we’re told that praising oneself is evidence of conceit. I challenge that belief, asking, “Why?” Sure, erring on the selfless side and learning to admit fault and avoid arrogance are commendable traits, but by the same token, the acts of loving yourself and recognizing your strengths and weaknesses are highly invigorating. Until we manage to love ourselves, we can hardly expect to focus our efforts on loving those who surround us. A mother cannot give her fullest to her children unless she has first given her fullest to herself. We cannot be a part of a good “couple” without first knowing how to be a good “single.” When we are balanced, it is much easier to create balance in life around us.

Many women routinely look in the mirror and express their disdain for all the things they dislike about themselves. Stop. You have already self-deprecated enough and are all too familiar with the areas you want to improve. Try a different approach: encourage and inspire yourself instead of berating. Focus on what is, rather than what is not. How can your body image ever look good if you are continuously looking for what’s bad?

Work on a Positive Spin

There are lots of things you can do

• Spend some time complimenting a body part you like.

• Note what you wish to modify, and remind yourself that it will not change in one day, but that little by little you can reshape your physique.

• Commit to being happy in your skin, whatever it takes.

• Adopt the mantra, “I like myself, I like myself, I like myself,” and say it each morning and night. Smile wide and proud as you praise yourself.

As a fitness trainer, I work with many body types and have heard many different body perceptions. Most people assume that the more physically fit you are, the higher your confidence level is, but that’s not always the case. In fact, the people who have the best workout attitude notice the biggest changes. The ones who reward and acknowledge themselves for the hard work they have done see great results.

Don’t spend your precious life criticizing, reprimanding, and discounting yourself. Learn to love you. Learn to love you more than anything or anyone else in the world and see what a difference it makes in your life.

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RockIt Body Fitness Experts