Kristin Cavallari is preaching the practice of "self-talk" after struggling with her own negative thoughts regarding body image. "I know for me personally, growing up I always had a really negative loop playing about body image," Cavallari, 38, said during the Tuesday, November 4, episode of her "Let's Be Honest" podcast. "I always felt like I was kinda fat growing up. Especially living at the beach and a lot of girls in high school, their bodies were perfect." Cavallari recalled "always" having "a few extra pounds on me," which she said was located in her "belly" and something she was "really, really self-conscious about." She remembered filming walking scenes on Laguna Beach when she was a junior in high school, during which she would "hold my purse in front of my stomach because I didn't want to show it on camera." Kristin Cavallari and More Stars Share Their Diet, Workout Secrets With Us Cavallari explained that it's "crazy" to still be thinking about those past insecurities, but noted, "When we have these thoughts and we've had them for years it's really hard to change." The Uncommon James founder said that she now feels "the best I've ever felt in my body," but her newfound confidence hasn't completely quieted the negative voices in her head. "I still work really hard in the gym. I eat really well. I hardly ever drink alcohol. I test all my hormones and my vitamin levels and my gut. I do all of the things," Cavallari said. "I think I look the best I ever have. That's not me bragging." Kristin Cavallari Shows Off Her Bikini Body While in 'Vacation Mode' She pointed out that after looking back at photos, she is confident about her body, but can periodically slip into a negative headspace. "I still sometimes have this f***ing loop in my head that's like, 'You're fat,'" Cavallari confessed. "I have to stop myself and be like, 'Oh, my God, you look the best you ever had.'" She explained that she tries to tell herself, "If you could talk to 18-year-old Kristin, and be like, 'Look what we're going to look like when we're 38!'" she'd be so impressed. Cavallari added that she needed to "just stop" being so down on herself, telling her podcast listeners to give themselves grace, too. Kristin Davis Says Sarah Jessica Parker Told Her 'You Have Body Dysmorphia' "You never know how someone is thinking and feeling," she said, making it clear she does know what she looks like and how fit she is. Cavallari, however, said it's not the mirror that is deceiving her, it's her mind. "It's this negative loop in my head though that will creep in sometimes," she revealed. The Hills alum explained that because of her past negative thoughts continually haunt her, she has shifted her thought process. "What I've told myself in the last few years is, 'You have your dream body. Like enough already,'" Cavallari said, admitting that body image issues have "been a negative loop for me that's been really hard for me to change." In addition to trying to up her positive self-talk, Cavallari said she has embraced eating clean while allowing herself grace when she falters. "I used to eat shitty, and I would beat myself up. I would feel so guilty," she recalled, noting that she would shame herself which would "make it worse." After welcoming her three children, Cavallari said she "developed a real sense of freedom around food" and learned that if she has an off day with food to just "move on from it." (Cavallari shares sons Camden, 13, and Jaxon, 11, and daughter Saylor, 9, with ex-husband Jay Cutler.) Kaitlyn Bristowe Posts Bikini Pic While Sharing She Has Body Dysmorphia She pointed out that it makes life "way more enjoyable" not to harp on so-called bad food choices and just do your best. "My point is, I was so strict with myself and then I would binge eat and eat everything and anything. I was so mad at myself. I never looked that great," she shared. "Where now I have a real freedom around food and I'm able to enjoy whatever it is I want to enjoy and then get back to my normal eating routine. I don't guilt myself." Cavallari concluded, "I look and feel the best I ever have. I really think there's something to that."