Its no wonder many believe they are sub-human because theyre overweight. Its the message sent to fat people from every direction. Even if you ignore the media, just listen to your family and friends; youve probably heard them say some very hurtful thingsand, this from people that love you.

Happiness is a personal choice and it is available to you.

But, if it were so simple you wouldnt be feeling bad, and I wouldnt have written this article. I believe you can be Fat And Happy and I see it as a simple 10-step process:

Accept that you deserve to be happy. Even if you never progress to the steps below, carry this thought with youI deserve to be happy. For years, people have been telling you otherwise and your subconscious mind is convinced that happiness cannot happen until something else happens first (like losing weight, being in love, having children.) Nothing has to happen before happinesshappiness is the first item on your agenda. You can always find reasons to be sad, depressed, or angry. Instead of focusing on what brings you down, focus on what brings you up.

Smile
It is difficult to be sad when youre smiling. Smiling makes you feel like a new person. Smiling also allows others to know youre happy. Put a smile on your face and greet everyone you meet with happinessthis alone could positively change your life.

Spend time with other people
If youre alone too much it gives you too much time to focus on yourself. Spend time with other happy motivated people. Happiness is contagious, allow the happiness of others to benefit your life and benefit others with the happiness you radiate.

Believe in a power greater than yourself
Having a belief (and faith) in a supreme being allows you to place the burdens of your life on a higher power. It allows you to pray for strength, peace, and happiness and through faith you can have happiness in the most adverse of times.

Guard the Information you allow into your mind
Negative input, even through television and magazines, can place roadblocks on your path to happiness. Limit your time watching the news, its generally bad news. Limit your time with negative people, negative thoughts are contagious. Avoid violent films of any kind and make your entertainment uplifting. Ive heard it said many times Garbage in equals garbage out. Everything you see, hear, or say affects your lifeand your mood. Keep happiness in front of you as much as possible.

Speak kindly to yourself
The way you speak to yourself affects your happiness. Stop all the negative talk today. When you look good tell yourself you look good. When you do a good deed, allow yourself to be happy. How you speak to yourself affects your happiness, stop the bad talk today. You are a perfect creation of Godalways remember that.

Be happy with what you have
Dont be jealous of others. I challenge you to write down 50 reasons to be grateful. Youll see you have a lot to be grateful for. If you have difficulty coming up with 50 things, incorporate gratitude into your life. Just having a comfortable chair is a reason to be gratefulnow jot down 49 more.

Be generous
Albert Camus said it best, Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present. When you help others, whether it is with money or your time, you see the positive impact you have in the world. Being positive and helping others generates happiness quicker than anything I know of.

Learn to say no
Sometimes we feel we have to please everyone, but by doing so we fill our time with activities that do not promote our own happiness. If you are true to your own happiness there will be many times you must say no. Saying no is an honorable responseyou have a right to say no. Example: Sorry, no, I would have watched your dog next weekend, but my friends and I have planned a trip. I will try to help you out next time if I can. Then, stick with your response; dont let anyone guilt you into doing things that get in the way of your happinessever!

Set Goals
Studies tell us that only 3% of people in the United States set goals, and they are the wealthiest people in the nation. Write down all your dreams, wait a couple of days and go over the listdetermine if they are really your goals. Then, take the top three most desired, realistic, obtainable long-term goals and write them on an index card. Carry this card with you and refer to the goals each time you have to make a decision about your life. Now, take additional cards and write short-term goals that support your long-term goals. Visualize your goals and set an action plan to achieve them. Continue breaking down the goals into smaller easier short goals that keep you on plan. The process of setting goals and targets allows you to choose where you want to go in life.