10 Steps To Better Body Confidence

By the age of 13, over 50% of American girls are unhappy with the way they look. By the age of 17, that increases to 78%. You might not feel good about yourself, but that definitely doesn't mean that you don't look good. You might want to drop 20lb, go shopping for a whole new wardrobe, buy some new makeup or get a drastic haircut, but none of those things are really necessary - all you have to do (we know it isn't easy!) is change the way you think.

Experts suggest that the vast majority of the way we feel about ourselves - up to 90% - is mental, meaning that it's simply down to how we think, rather than any external factors such as how we look or the style of our hair or our weight. Getting better confidence is mostly about how we think and feel - so follow these tips to start feeling flawlessly fabulous today!

Get Out of Your Head

A major cause of body confidence woes is that inner voice in your head that says "You look a bit chubby today" or "What are they going to think if you wear that?" Without that voice in your head, you'll feel much better about yourself. So the key is to get out of your head, to stop listening to that voice, and to distract yourself by talking to other people instead. Ask them where they got their outfit from. Talk about their hair.

Challenge negative thoughts, differentiating between reality and unfounded beliefs. Embrace self-compassion, treating yourself as you would a friend in tough times. Avoid comparing yourself to others, setting realistic goals aligned with your values.

Surround yourself with positivity, seeking professional help if needed. Practice mindfulness to observe thoughts without judgment. Celebrate every achievement, however small, and, most importantly, be patient.

What Does Your Body Do?

Don't like your thighs? Well, they take you to the gym, and to school, and to work. What would you do without them? Had a child? Loathe to show your tummy because of your stretchmarks? Those stretchmarks are tiger stripes that helped you to grow a baby. The list goes on. Those bits of you that you don't like, try to think about them in a positive light - what do they do for you?

You're Not Alone

Think you're the only person who hates their arms? Or who wants to be more toned, or look like Jennifer Lawrence? Nope. We all want to look better, be thinner, have a prettier face, have thinner arms etc, etc. You're not alone in those feelings. You might look at a girl and think, "Well, she's a size 3, how could she have any insecurities?" Chances are, she hates her nose, or her feet, or her arms.

See Also: Loving Your Body

Name That Bully

Instead of talking to yourself in a way that you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy, name that inner bully. If those words aren't coming from you, they aren't the truth - which gives you a way to move forwards and heal.

Quit The Fat Talk

Many of us are guilty of it, and even though we know we do it, it doesn't stop us from calling ourselves fat, or others fat, or celebrities fat - or just about anyone fat, for that matter. When we're out with girlfriends and the conversation turns to weight, one of the group will often say something like "Ugh, I feel so fat today". The next girl will say "Oh, you're not fat. I am! Look at the size of my thighs!" and so on and so on and all it does is cause us more pain and more upset.

Challenge societal norms by celebrating differences. Remember that words have power, and by quitting the fat talk, you contribute to a culture of acceptance, self-esteem, and mental well-being. Let's lift each other up, promoting positivity and kindness in the way we speak about ourselves and others.

So quit the fat talk - quit it right now!

Put Your Phone Down

One problem with smartphones is that although they connect us with people all over the world at the click of a button, they also stop us from connecting with people who are right in front of us. The more time you spend disconnected from the real world, the more disconnected you'll feel from yourself, and the more likely it is that the people around you will think that you're not particularly approachable. Get off the phone and look at the world around you.

What Do You Love?

You might think that you hate yourself, but the truth is, you can't hate each and every part of yourself. There will always be something about yourself that you like, so you need to find that part of yourself, focus on it and soon enough, you'll be able to find other parts of yourself that you like. It could be anything, from the curve of your neck to the shape of your eyes.

Be Kind to Yourself

Would you talk about your friend in the way that you talk about yourself? No. Would your friend call you fat, talk about how big your thighs are? Say that you had chubby cheeks? No. So don't talk to yourself like that!

Treat Yourself

There are many things that you can do in order to make yourself feel better about the way you look. Regular exercise will not only make your limbs look leaner and longer, but it'll boost the release of endorphins, which will make you feel good. The same goes for a healthy diet, as well as clothes that fit properly and that suit your figure.

See Also: Boost Your Body Confidence

Look for the Perfect Outfit

What's your favorite outfit? What do you like about it - cut, colour, fabric, texture? Figure out what it is, then buy more of it, so that you can feel good about yourself not only when you're wearing your favorite outfit but every day, too.

Clothing isn't just fabric; it's an armor of confidence. Dressing for confidence means selecting attire that reflects your personality and makes you feel empowered. Embrace colors and styles that resonate with your self-image, boosting self-esteem. Choose pieces that fit well and flatter your body, enhancing comfort and poise. Don't conform to fleeting trends; prioritize what makes you feel authentic.

Confidence radiates from within when you feel comfortable in your skin and your clothes. So, every morning, slip into that outfit that makes you stand taller, smile brighter, and conquer the day with unwavering self-assurance.