The document discusses how everyone develops an inner critic from being told what to do as children. While inner critics can encourage self-control and discourage impulsivity, they can also become too rigid or strong, leading to low self-esteem and unhealthy behaviors. To find a balanced approach to weight management, people should develop a positive inner helper to offset the demands of the inner critic and focus on enjoying healthy eating.

1. Using Your Inner Critic
• Every normal person has an inner critic.
• When you're a child you're told what to do and what not to do.
• "Pick up your toys."
• "Brush your teeth."
• "Clean your room."
• "Finish what's on your plate."

2. Using Your Inner Critic
• "Don't eat with your hands."
• "Do your homework."
• "Don't argue, listen."
• You obey.
• All the do's and don'ts become part of you.
• You develop an inner critic.

3. Using Your Inner Critic
• An inner critic makes you aware of what is and and is not the right thing to do.
• Children are proud of themselves when they do the right thing.
• They feel good when they are in control of themselves.

4. Using Your Inner Critic
• Most people have had the experience of feeling good because they pleased
their inner critic and did the right thing.
• An inner critic is an important part of the inner mind.

5. Using Your Inner Critic
• People need an inner critic.
• Inner critics make you dissatisfied with yourself so you are motivated to
change.
• An inner feeling that tugs at you about losing weight is an inner critic message.
• You feel that inner tug as a suggestion for real action.

6. Using Your Inner Critic
• Inner critics can be a positive force for encouraging self-control.
• Inner critics can help discourage impulsivity.
• Inner critics keep some people from overeating or nibbling too much junk food.
• They don't want to be self-critical afterward.

7. Using Your Inner Critic
• Inner critics can be too rigid.
• People will try to ignore standards that are too high.
• No one likes to be told what to do, even if you are telling yourself what to do.
• Weight management can't be based on self-criticism.
• People tire of self-criticism.

8. Using Your Inner Critic
• People have mental tricks to stop their inner critic from tugging at their mind.
• They promise themselves they will change.
• "I'll diet tomorrow."
• "I'll diet next week."
• "I'll diet after the office party."

9. Using Your Inner Critic
• Inner critics can be too strong.
• Too much self-criticism causes negative self-talk and low self-esteem.
• A person could begin to dislike their body.
• Some people avoid mirrors.
• They avoid shopping for clothes.

10. Using Your Inner Critic
• Too much self-criticism is unhealthy.
• Some people are so self-critical about their weight that they try weird diets or
self-starvation.
• Weight management isn't about fighting an uphill battle.
• Weight management is about pleasure in healthy eating.

11. Using Your Inner Critic
• Weight management is about balancing eating pleasure and impulse control.
• In the long run, you can't base weight management on self-criticism and self-
denial.
• You will have better luck by developing positive attitudes toward eating
healthy food you like.
• Self-suggestion can help.

12. Using Your Inner Critic
• Eating is supposed to be a pleasure.
• Why not take a moment to check with your Inner Helper?
• Inner helpers offset demanding, rigid, inner critics.
• An Inner Helper reminds you that you can't be perfect.
• You can't avoid setbacks.

13. Using Your Inner Critic
• Inner helpers support self-esteem.
• Inner helpers make people aware of the good feelings they have when they
are in control.
• They interrupt negative thinking.
• An Inner Helper can be a balance to a nagging inner critic.
• An Inner Helper shifts your focus to the pleasure that comes from making
healthy eating choices.

14. Using Your Inner Critic
• Listen to the audio section to hear how inner helpers and inner critics
cooperate.
• Listen to hear how an inner helper part of the mind can negotiate between
impulses to overeat and your desire to manage your weight.
• Go to the next slide for an audio guide about finding a balance between your
inner helper and your inner critic.

15. Using Your Inner Critic