Are you your own worst enemy? Are you your own worst enemy?

For most people, there’s an inner critic that runs rampant. In fact, they would never speak to a friend or a loved one the way they speak to themselves. If you’ve ever been close to someone who constantly complains and judges everything – where nothing is ever good enough – then you know firsthand how exhausting it is to be around them.

Unfortunately, you can’t just walk away from that critical voice when it’s living inside your own head.

Wonderful things happen when you are kinder to yourself. You're on your own team, you have your own back, and you’re actively building your inner kindness and self worth. Getting stuck with that inner critic in your head can feel really claustrophobic, but once they've taken a back seat, the whole situation just loosens up, getting more free and spacious.

Let's think – are you in a healthy relationship with yourself? Here are some questions you need to ask.

• Is the relationship to your body a supportive and kind one?
  You have to allow yourself a little gentleness and leeway, especially on a fitness journey.
• Would you ever speak to another person the way you speak to yourself?
  Think about it – if you wouldn't say that to your best friend or your mom, don't say it to yourself.
• Do you prioritize your own health and well-being as much as you do others?
  Your body and mind deserves your respect as much as anyone else. If you're always caring for other people and being unkind to yourself, you're going to burn out.
• Do you have pride in the things you have accomplished?
  Look back at what you've done and how far you've come before you dismiss your efforts.
• Would you allow other people to treat you, or speak to you, the way you do yourself?
  Think about your thoughts as if you were getting a text from a stranger – are you speaking yourself in a way you would want to be treated?

To transform your inner critic into a healthier inner companion, it's time for an intervention. Well, actually, an interruption. For an entire day, try paying attention to the quiet voice that motivates your behavior. When you find your inner voice putting you down, interrupt it!

When you miss the bus and it says, "There, that's the day ruined, you can't do anything right," chime in and say, "This is just one small part of my life, it's just a bus! That doesn't change my value as a person."

When you say something wrong and get embarrassed, and the voice says, "You're so stupid," interrupt before it can go further and remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes – and the person you were speaking to probably won't even remember. They'll be too busy worrying about their own little mistakes, just like you do. Until, that is, you interrupt yourself.