If the thought of wearing a swim suit on a
beach fills you with dread and you undress under the bedcovers, then it
might be time to admit you’ve got some body confidence issues. Here are
five ways you can end the embarrassment and feel better naked:
Get active
Feeling good about being naked doesn’t necessarily mean losing weight
or bulking up; it can be about the way you perceive your body. Taking
up a new activity, like dancing, spinning or weight lifting can do just
that. By using your body to move more gracefully or cycle faster you
should begin to relate to it on a physical level, opposed to a purely
aesthetical one. You will be able to see the perks of your long arms or
your bulky ankles and hopefully break some of the negative associations
you currently have. If you try to see your body as a tool, rather than a
symbol of attractiveness, your perception and judgement should alter
and your confidence will soar.
Stop comparing
Yes, your friend may have arms like Arnold Schwarzenegger or a
stomach like Jennifer Aniston, but you are not your friend and this is
not a competition. If you’re one of life’s “comparers” take a deep
breath and try to suss out why you’re thinking this way. Have you had a
rough time recently? If you have, then chances are you’re feeling shaky
and when that happens it’s easy to think everyone else is perfect; but
they’re not. You should try to remember this when you next get body envy
and work on solutions to overcome this shaky patch. Address any issues
you may have head on and use any resources available to tackle your
predicament. Fingers crossed, with some determination, creativity and
bravery you can beat your blues and feel body confident again.
Buy clothes that fit
If you want to feel confident when you’re naked you need to feel
confident when you’re dressed too. Although it’s tempting to wear your
favourite shirt that you’ve had for five years, check whether it still
fits. Wearing ill-fitting clothes, whether they’re too tight or too
baggy, is one of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to
body issues. If something doesn’t fit, it can be uncomfortable and make
you look far worse that you do in reality. The best way to sort out your
wardrobe is to have a clear out. Work out what your measurements are
first then root through your clothes and chuck anything that no longer
fits. When shopping for new clothes, if you can try to get measured by a
professional; especially for those bras, ladies.
Jump on a horse
Okay, if you’re terrified of horses or have as much balance as a
hyperactive toddler at a birthday bash, then it might not be a wise idea
to jump on a horse. However, to feel great naked you have to be proud
of who you are. You should not be basing your self-worth on how you
look, but by what you can achieve and who you are as a person. To work
on your sense of worth take on a new challenge, start a project or do
some volunteering. Learning something new or giving something that you
fear a go will also help you stop judging yourself on the way you look
on the outside. The truth is if you’re feeling good about other areas
of your life, then you will feel proud of every part of you, even the
bits that jiggle and wiggle.
Avoid the bloaters
If you know that you are going to be getting naked, then there are
some foods you should definitely avoid in the run-up to unveiling
yourself. As tasty as they are, avoid things like chocolate, cakes or
cookies. All of these foods have a lot of unrefined sugar, which means
trouble for your tummy. Also, although it may sound odd, try to avoid
fruit for a little while too, as fruit has high levels of fructose and
may also balloon your stomach. Swap these foods for fresh vegetables,
lean protein and complex carbohydrates like brown rice or quinoa. A
tasty, bloat-free dish could be salmon, with asparagus and rice in a
tomato and basil sauce. Or why not make a fabulous vegetable chilli. If
you try to eat meals like this, you’ll minimise the likelihood of
looking bloated.
