Photo by Dainis Graveris on SexualAlpha
With just over a week until my holiday, I’ve found myself in the usual spiral of trying to make my stomach an inch flatter and questioning if it’s time to swap a bikini for a swimsuit now I’m turning 37 and trying to book in for any massage that will knead away my insecurities. The truth is, if I heard any of my friends talking this way about themselves I’d slap them.
As women, we are hard on ourselves but when I think about what my body has been through over the last few years and what it is capable of, the only words I have are positive. It’s time to stop expecting perfection, (half the bikini bodies on Instagram aren’t even real) and be grateful for what your body does for you each day. If you find yourself in a self-confidence spiral, my advice would be to talk to yourself like you would a good friend. Use these tips to achieve total body confidence.
Now, I’m not saying that these tips will transform you in a week but they can help you to look and more importantly feel your very best.
You will need:
1) A body brush – my favourite way to kick off a self-confidence boost. This pre-bath ritual is a simple method of kickstarting your way to better, firmer skin. And, it takes 2 minutes of your time.
2) A good exfoliator-Frank Body is fab for smoothing skin. Trust me, you will get compliments.
3) Luxury lingerie- Ageing, greying, sagging underwear is not the one. Throw out your undies and replace replace replace. It’s very therapeutic.
4) Body shimmer-Vita Liberata is the best for giving your skin that subtle yet sexy Va va voom.
5) Body oil-Tea & Tonic are the masters of mood-lifting products and I use this oil (full review here) on boobs, bum and tummy to really hydrate and firm. It gives you that just left the spa glow.
7) Champagne (optional)
8 Fake tan-St Moritz – Nothing gives me a quick confidence boost that a fresh layer of tan.
Lesson 1 Get Moving
If you want to feel better, the first step is to flood your body with endorphins. Go and get that feel-good factor. Go for a walk, run up and down the steps or book into a gym class. You will never regret a workout. (unless it burpees. we all regret burpees). Create a consistent exercise schedule that you can stick to that includes cardio workouts with plenty of lunges, squats and stretches. It can be as simple or complex as you like. Running, skipping, boxing, cycling and circuit training is a great way to kick start your training and are just a few of the high energy activities that I swear by. Pop on a podcast while you get your steps in, I’ve been listening to a few new ones to get into a positive mindset while walking the dog.
Lesson 2-Focus on your Best Bits
We all have insecurities or parts of our bodies that aren’t our favourites. Want to know the key to body confidence? Well-fitting, matching underwear that suits your shape and highlights your best bits. When choosing sexy lingerie for yourself, rather than focusing on what you would like to hide, pick out your best feature and choose an underwear set that shows it off. Choose a babydoll top that will not only suck you in but enhance your favourite feature. Don’t love your legs? Add a spritz of shimmer or a pair of sheer stockings and create the illusion of length with a pair of nude heels.
Step 3-Eat Clean
Making a few small changes to your diet can provide you with spectacular results. Choose foods and drinks that are packed with antioxidants such as blueberries and green tea and replace chocolate, sweets and cakes with good carbs such as avocado, brown rice, nuts and seeds.
Step 4 – Glowing Skin
Nothing makes me feel confident like having smooth silky skin. Here are my go-to treatments for when you need a quick confidence boost.
Massage-Relaxing? Yes, but massages also improve your circulation and give your skin a healthy glow.
Spray Tan-The only way to get a flawless tan in under ten minutes.
LVL – your lashes but twice as long and lifted.
Mani/pedi-Fresh nails are simply stunning.
Ear wax removal in Harrow – Clear any blockages that could be causing pain.
What are the lessons you’ve learned in self-confidence?
