Some days, I feel really confident.

And then there are days like yesterday when I just... didn't.

I caught myself being really hard on myself, especially about my body. I found myself thinking about how I wish I were already at my goal weight and how I've wanted to reach that goal for a verrrry long time.

But then I caught myself.

I realized I was slipping into that self-deprecating voice that I've worked so hard to move away from.

And I thought, Okay, Justine. Stop.

Because HELLO... what good is it actually doing me to speak to myself that way?

So I started talking to myself differently.

I've been practicing positive affirmations for quite some time, but that doesn't mean I don't have days or moments when I doubt myself. I still say harsh things sometimes. I still have days where I don't feel confident.

The difference is that I notice it now.

And when I catch myself saying something harsh, I try to correct it.

I remind myself of what is true.

I tell myself:

I got this!

I can do it!

I am a BOSS!

And yesterday, I definitely needed that. That's when I felt the shift...

I started speaking to myself more positively, and instead of letting those dang negative thoughts take over, I chose to talk back to them.

I definitely felt more motivated, like I could take on anything!

Next thing you know, I'm driving with a bigger smile on my face, wanting to fist-pump myself. 😂

I felt like I could actually do the things I was telling myself I could do.

And then came Monday.

I had my clothes ready to go to the gym, and even though I really didn't want to go, I pushed myself.

I told myself, Come on. You got this!

So I pushed myself.

And I went.

And afterward, I felt so damn good.

Not because I had suddenly reached my goal.

Not because my body looked completely different.

But because I pushed myself to take the action.

I'm Learning to Take It One Day at a Time

I feel like I hear it all the time: Take it one day at a time.

But you truly have to remind yourself of that.

I think sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves to become the person we want to be that we forget to appreciate the person we are becoming.

I know I'm still working toward my goals — even when it feels like they're taking forever.

I'm still trying to figure things out.

I'm still going to have days where I doubt myself.

I'm still going to have moments where I don't love what I see in the mirror.

But I'm learning that I don't have to tear myself down to motivate myself forward.

I can encourage myself.

I can be proud of myself.

I can speak to myself like someone I actually love.

And maybe that's part of the work, too.

Not just changing our habits, reaching the goal weight, or checking something off the list.

But changing the way we talk to ourselves while we're getting there.

Right now, I'm taking things day by day.

I'm also really excited about my upcoming trip — and, if I'm being honest, really nervous about it too. But it's a big step toward one of our longtime goals, and that's what makes me happy.

I don't need to have everything figured out right now.

I just need to keep taking the next step.

One day.

One decision.

One promise to myself at a time.

And when that little voice starts telling me I can't?

I'll remind her:

I got this!