If you surf the net, read the newspaper, watch television -- you've probably been bombarded with weight loss tricks, the latest detox and cleanses promising to banish that belly and help you fit into those size four jeans. But what if...for a moment we stopped with this madness and just loved precisely where we are at? Why do we need to be in a constant battle berating our bodies and making food the enemy.

I pondered what I would write for my first of 2011 for quite some time. I was going to post my top ten weight loss strategies or my favourite detoxification tips, or tell you why you need a professional (like myself) to guide you towards your best health ever. But I stopped myself because what you need to do first and foremost before you begin a new plan, hire a weight loss coach or start your detox is simple.

You need to love precisely where you are at. I don't care of you have a muffin top or love handles, if you can't get out of bed without aches and pains (well I DO care, but I'm getting to that), or if your body fat puts you into the obese category. Accept yourself, love yourself, then and ONLY then will you be able to move forward to actually reach your goals and sustain them. I know it's not that simple, but really is it that complicated? Do you have a choice to beat yourself up or not? You sure do! You have the power of your own thoughts to choose whether you fill your head with love or criticisms.

I've been there, weighing myself every single day, pinching my fat, obsessing over every morsel, counting every calorie and it nearly drove me insane, not too mention I was constantly bloated, constipated, felt fat and ugly and was my own worst critic. You know where that got me? Nowhere. I was miserable with myself. Guess what I do now? NONE OF THAT! In fact, I couldn't even tell you how many calories I eat on a daily basis or how much I weigh because I haven't a clue and I'm the healthiest I've ever been in my entire life.

I promise you, with a little more love for yourself you can get there too, and here are my top strategies for loving yourself firstly, in your birthday suit:

1. You may recall a year or so ago I wrote a post called Love Your Nakedness. This is where you start, read this post and put it into action immediately. It will be hard at first, but you can do it!

2. Don't measure, don't count calories, don't obsess over nutrition panels. Enjoy every morsel, chew food like it was your last bite on earth and eat slowly. Remind yourself that every morsel is nourishment for the millions of cells that make up your body.

3. Wear clothes that fit you NOW. Don't buy clothes in a smaller size, don't try and squeeze yourself into a size smaller than your butt will allow. DO wear clothes that you feel fantastic and confident in and remind yourself, no wait, TELL YOURSELF how beautiful you are... which brings me to my next point.

4. Every morning and every time you feel like doo-doo TELL YOURSELF that you are beautiful inside and out. This is a very powerful affirmation and can work magic, particularly when you are feeling down in the dumps about yourself.

As I've said 100 million times on my blog and to my clients, I will leave you with this one last thought:

You are your own best cheerleader. No one on planet earth is ever going to love you as much as you do, so embrace this, use it to your advantage and love yourself no matter what.