Weight loss is a complex, subjective issue. It involves proper nutrition and exercise; balanced hormones, adequate sleep, pleasure, playfulness and a whole lot more based on each individual’s body, lifestyle and preferences.

At the root of all avoidable weight gain, however, is one commonality: toxicity.

Toxins in the body, if allowed to float around freely, would kill us in an instant. So the body covers them with fat cells. Thus, the additional fat. Diets obviously don’t work because they don’t treat the root of the problem, just the symptoms.

Nutritional cleansing or detoxes are all the rage right now. They’re important, sure. The body needs to rid itself of toxicity. But how about all that gunk clogging up in the mind and heart?

Toxicity comes in many forms. It is both a physical phenomenon and an emotional one.Too much toxicity can cause health problems in the body and in the mind.

Today I want to address a weight loss tip that works to permanently drop those additional pounds:

Forgiveness

Believe it or not, feelings of unforgiveness and resentment can add a lot of heaviness in the body. People who hold grudges or are deeply resentful often struggle with weight issues.

I find that the most unforgiving people are those who don’t let themselves off the hook easily.

As a result they set high standards for others as well. This habit can be even more debilitating than any junk food addiction. These toxic feelings deplete us of our natural sense of wellbeing and vitality. Plus all that time and energy we spend resenting others can easily be channelized to create something beautiful and inspiring.

Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. (Tweet it)

So I invite you to embark on a forgiveness diet. Here are two exercises you can carry out periodically to drop all unnecessary baggage:

Forgive yourself

Make a list of all the things you’ve said and done your entire life that were wrong. Reflect on all the moments when you lied or cheated or blamed. It’s ok. It’s time to forgive yourself. You can even write in your journal:

“I forgive myself for lying to my brother about….” or you can call up these people if you’re feeling particularly ballsy. Either way release yourself from the judgment and loathing of being a bad person.

Forgive others

Forgiving others becomes significantly easier when you’ve forgiven yourself of any misgivings first. This forgiveness exercise is taught by Doreen Virtue. Make time to do this exercise another day.  Write down the names of 5-10 people who have hurt, angered or betrayed you. Remember you are not necessarily forgiving these people’s actions but letting go of that part which is causing the pain and hurt between you two. Go through each name and spend some time re-collecting all the feelings of unforgiveness you’ve been holding towards them. From your heart speak or write a sentence that helps you bring closure, such as:

“I forgive you (name.) You are free and I am free” or “I forgive and release you into the love that is our truth.”

Sometimes life brings us to a point where being right or wrong becomes less important than feeling happy, light and free.

Here is a beautiful Buddhist prayer for forgiveness to visit from time to time.

A Buddhist Prayer of Forgiveness:

If I have harmed anyone in any way
either knowingly or unknowingly
through my own confusions
I ask their forgiveness.
If anyone has harmed me in any way
either knowingly or unknowingly
through their own confusions
I forgive them.
And if there is a situation I am not yet ready to forgive
I forgive myself for that.
For all the ways that I harm myself, negate, doubt, belittle myself, judge
or be unkind to myself through my own confusions
I forgive myself.

I hope this week’s exercise helps you drop what’s unnecessary and soak in the truly necessary: love, joy, peace and playfulness.