How To Love The Skin You're In

One of the most startling statistics we've heard recently is that over 90 percent of women will go on a diet at some point in her lifetime — that is 90 percent of women who are unhappy with their body shape and their figure and who really want to change it. We think that sucks, honestly, and we want to help you figure out how to learn to love the skin you're in!

In fact, there's a very high chance that you could be like one of many women who don't feel comfortable in their own body and even wish to change it. We're here to reassure you that every body is beautiful no matter who you are!

Still not sure of that fact? Let's go over a couple of things together.

Well, more than half of American women are unhappy with the way they look - and most of them don't like the way that their waist, hips and thighs look. We're here to tell you that even those with the slimmest and trimmest of bodies are not necessarily happy  no matter what the media tries to tell you, thinness definitely does not guarantee you happiness — and constantly trying to get thinner is unhealthy and can lead to eating disorders like anorexia. Just ask the legions of women who slim down each year. Yes, they might be more body confident, but chances are, there is still something with their body that they are not happy with. 

Why Are We So Unhappy?

If there was a big emphasis on appearance and a large number of comments from friends and family on the way you looked when you were growing up, you're more likely to focus on the negative aspects of yourself, especially if the comments you received were negative. If you had plenty of positive feedback and there was a focus on how you felt rather than how you looked, you're more likely to feel more comfortable in the skin you're in. 

Change Your Perception of Beauty

What do you think of as beautiful? A slim, blond, supermodel? A field of flowers? Or a woman who spends her life doing charitable things for other people?

 But even 100 years ago, people found larger ladies attractive as it meant they were healthy and wealthy. Nowadays, people are fixated upon slimness as being something beautiful.

Read More: Boost Your Body Confidence

It's important to change your perception of beauty if you want to feel better about yourself. If you don't think you're beautiful physically, think about something that you do or that you have done that could be classed as beautiful. Maybe you look after an animal or a relative, or regularly volunteer at a charity. Whatever it is, you will find something in or about yourself to love!

Put a Sock In It

One of the biggest problems any woman faces is her inner critic. But to be happy, you really, really need to put a sock in it. Silence your inner critic - silence that nasty voice in your head that tells you that you're looking fat today or that your makeup looks silly and you will feel much happier. Although you might not be psychically perfect, who is?

So you don't like your bottom - but maybe you like your firm arms? You might not like your tummy, but maybe you have beautiful hair. Rate different parts of your body as either acceptable, OK or perfect - chances are, you'll find much of your body perfectly acceptable. 

Make Yourself Feel Good

When you are feeling good about yourself, what is it that makes you feel that way? Is it wearing makeup? Having your hair done? Wearing clothes that flatter your figure? Chances are, it is a combination of all three. It might even be the way you feel about yourself after doing something nice for someone else. Whatever it is that makes you feel good about yourself, do it - and do it every day.

It might sound superficial, but if you feel like you're looking your best, there's no need to be insecure.

Get Exercising

Exercise is absolutely one of the most powerful tools there is for making you feel better about yourself. Research has shown that if you replace a focus on looks with a focus on the function of your body, you feel happier about yourself and your self-esteem is improved. 

Read More: Women Peak In Their Thirties As They Become More Confident With Their Body Image

Take a Reality Check

Grab a piece of string and loop it to create a circle big enough to enclose your hips in or your waist in. Mark the string. Then, use it to enclose your hips. Chances are, you'll have created a much bigger circle than necessary.

We think we're bigger than we are and this little exercise is a really handy way of showing yourself exactly how you look and how that differs from how you feel about yourself.