“I’m fat.”

“My body will never be…”

– I hate my arms.

Think about your inner dialogue today. If you’re like the average American woman, you have 13 negative thoughts about your body every day. Well guess what? Your self-esteem listened and internalized every perceived inadequacy.

Here’s a question: Do your thighs make you unattractive and unlovable? Or does your negative perception of your thighs make you feel unattractive and unlovable?

It’s time we start treating our bodies with the same kid gloves we use on the ones we love—if not, it’s not just our self-esteem that suffers; it is our entire sense of well-being, including relationship satisfaction. Can’t think of anything nice to say about your body?

Here are 20 ways to fall in love (or at least “like”) your look, according to the experts at YourTango:

1. Speak loving thoughts to your body

Of projecting negative thoughts on your body, you are reinforcing the very root of your weight problem. Most people get fat because they stuff themselves with food to make up for the lack of love. Watering your body with loving thoughts is the best diet you can go on. You feel better, your body feels good, and with regular loving practice, it becomes the body you truly love, even if it stays the same shape or size. — Debbie Berndt

2. Know that you don’t have to be perfectly happy with every aspect of your body

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It simply means that you are in relationship with your body, grateful for its amazing gift, and grateful for its many pleasures. When you love your body, you’ll feel good about who you are and feel more attractive—all of which will help your inner light shine brighter. — Kara Oh

RELATED: How the Idea of ​​Body Positivity Is Actually Toxic for Women

3. Release body hatred

Four years after cancer and 58 years old, my body is in its wrinkly, soft and saggy phases and I am 100% happy with it. I dress to flatter my assets and certain parts of my body will no longer be shown in public, but I’m not depressed about it. I’m just happy to be here. I would say a surprising benefit for cancer is the release of bodily hatred. I just don’t think about it anymore. — Catherine Behan

4. Consider everything your body has done for you in the past and present and what it will do for you in the future

Loving your body involves more than “how you look” and whether you should lose a few pounds. — Lori Kanat Edelson

5. Don’t forget that your body supplies you with oxytocin AKA the “love hormone”

Research published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences shows how oxytocin helps fight stress, resist illness, calms her down, balances her emotions, and makes her want to make love! A spouse’s body is the main “Oxytocin Dispenser”. Every time a husband hugs, smiles, kisses, compliments and other loving touches to his wife, oxytocin is released in her body. — Joel and Kathy Davisson

RELATED: I’m so sick of the body positivity movement telling me I have to love how I look

6. Nourish your body in a healthy way that benefits your body, mind and spirit

You will exude a healthier, more accepting energy that will allow you to be more playful, fun-loving, and encouraging not only to yourself, but to everyone around you. It may take some practice love your bodybut the investment brings many rewards for physical and mental health. — Sheets Carol Juergensen

7. Banish negative thoughts

When you are critical and judgmental about your body, it can easily attract other negativity into your life, including negative people like reviewed by researcher Alice B. Huang. These interactions cause negative emotions, which release chemicals in our bodies that often lead to illness.

The good news is that the opposite is also true. The more you accept and love your body, the more you will create a positive environment. Positive emotions are wonderful for us both physically and emotionally. — Dr. Shoshana Bennett

8. Listen to your body

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when you love your body by listening to italerts you when you are stressed, angry or angry. It helps you identify when you are happy, engaged or reconciled. This knowledge allows you to reduce what drains you and integrate more peace and joy into your life, which will let you thrive again. — Tambre Leighn

9. Appreciate your body

Our bodies are an amazing source of intelligence and wisdom, not to mention sensual experience. Without them, we wouldn’t be here. What doesn’t he like? — Amy Marsh

10. Know that your body also listens to you

Your relationship with your body is not only vital to your overall health and well-being, but also to generating all that you desire to create in your phenomenal life. Your body loves you and does everything it can to please you.

What if every cell in your body responded to every thought you thought? Jill Littrell, Georgia State University, EXAMINATION the mind-body connection and how, when you judge it for having too much here and not enough there, it gives you more or less of what you criticize. — Judith Joyce

RELATED: 3 Ways to Love Yourself So Much That Anxiety and Stress Go Away (Forever)

11. Remember that your body tells the truth (and nothing but the truth)

Women should love their bodies because their bodies know and speak their truths — even when their minds insist on another story. Those mysterious pains they experience, those sleepless nights, the sudden absence of physical desire and so many physical symptoms are signs that a self-told lie is eating away at their souls. — Delaine Moore

12. When you love your body, you love your life

Your body is a microcosm of how you feel about your life. If you love your body the way it is, you probably love your life, your relationships, and who you are. If you love your body, you’ve discovered how to get “woman.” Most men I’ve talked to agree with this a confident woman she really is the most attractive type of woman. — Sarah Baron

13. You are what you think

Today’s outstanding leaders in medicine do not deny the evidence of the mind’s ability to create a “miracle,” as demonstrated by a study in Explore the Journal. By honoring and befriending the original miracle—that body you were born with and the temple of your mind—you will reap profound benefits in every aspect of your life. You will come to know that you are what you think. — Dr. Liz Zed

14. Remember that you can love your body without liking every part of it

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If you don’t like a part of your body (and it can be changed), then change it. If it’s something you can’t change, work to accept (and eventually love) it. — Dr. Anne Crowley

15. Remember to love yourself and your body will bring more love into your life

Bring back the love in the life you put out and it only takes seconds to shift from negativity to self-love as supported by a study in Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology. You can start right now by embracing your negative thoughts about your body and then repeating to yourself, “I love my body.” This subtle change in thinking will immediately bring more love into your life. — Linda Marie

RELATED: 3 Ways to Respect Your Body When “Body Positivity” Feels Impossible

16. Enjoy the fact that you have a healthy body that lets you do whatever you want

Cherish it, take care of it, and most of all, love it! — Marla Martenson

17. Know the benefits of loving your body

A study in Personal relationships diary explore the benefits of physical intimacy for your mind, body and spirit are incredible. From boosting self-esteem and relieving stress to burning calories and helping you get a good night’s sleep, physical intimacy when practiced safely is something you want to improve your quality of life. It will also strengthen the bond with your partner. — Rachel Russo

18. Body positivity is contagious

When you accept, appreciate and love your body, that radiant energy is a compelling aphrodisiac and make it a delight for your partner to love your body in every way too. There is a reverence that comes with loving your body, creating the possibility to enjoy it more and more deeply, more meaningful connection for you and your partner. — Amy Blake

19. Remember that your body is designed to survive

Over millions of years, your body has evolved to survive. It is designed to protect you from danger and harm. Your body’s desire to store fat is a physiological response designed to keep you alive. Thank your body and appreciate the fact that you were designed to thrive. — Quinn Asteak

20. Remember that you are unique and that makes you special

There is not a single woman alive who thinks she has the perfect figure, yet every woman has something she can be proud of: hair, soft skin, eyes, smile, breasts, legs, nails, etc. Discovering and appreciating what makes you special (and attractive!) allows your body to respond and return the pleasure of living each moment to the fullest. — Tucker tune

RELATED: 10 Tiny Things People Who Really Love Themselves Do Without Realizing

The YourTango Experts team includes licensed therapists, dating and life coaches, partners and more professionals dedicated to giving you the tools and guidance for a happier and more rewarding life.