Self deprecation isn’t just bad form, it’s bad news if you want to lose weight.

It’s pretty common, almost fashionable, for us to trash talk about ourselves, especially when it comes to weight. Who doesn’t think some part of their body, if not the whole thing, is too flabby, too odd shaped, too unattractive.

But according to a recent study, fat talk is not only detrimental to efforts in losing weight, it also can lead to depression and self hatred.

“In two studies, participants completed closed-ended scales reporting their use of fat talk, body satisfaction, perceived pressure to be thin, self-esteem, and depression. Across a three-week span, Study 1 found fat talk to predict lower body satisfaction and higher depression; fat talk also mediated the association between body weight concerns and mental health problems.

Study 2 found, across a two-week span, fat talk to predict higher levels of depression and perceived sociocultural pressure to be thin. In addition, low body satisfaction predicted more fat talk.”

The study was published in Taylor Francis Online and endorses positive self talk and image building as the best way to approach any weight loss plan.