1. STOP THE VERBAL ABUSE NOW.
Do you put yourself down with negative thoughts about your body? Just as the constant abuse of a boyfriend or parent chips away at one’s self-esteem, so does your verbal self-flagellation. “What we give out in life, we get back. This includes he thoughts we have about our bodies,” says Sally Forrest, a partner at SoulCentre, an organization that holds self-transformation seminars.
She continues, “It’s important to think positive thoughts about your body, because whatever we focus on grows. When the mind has positive thoughts, the body produces chemicals called endorphins, which enhance your moods and energy level, keep you young and vibrant, and also help your cells regenerate.”
She shares this simple exercise: “When you wake up, look in the mirror and say, ‘I am happy, I am healthy, and I am beautiful just the way I am.” Keep saying it until you believe it, and you will experience the change.
2. BE YOUR OWN ROLE MODEL.
If your lack of self-confidence stems from not looking like any of the wispy celebrities or models in the glossies, change your visual scenery. Get rid of images that make you feel inadequate (check out these curvy celebrities who flaunt their curves instead, for example).
“Put up pictures of yourself that make you happy—whether it’s the way you look, what you’re doing, or who you’re with in the pictures,” advises Laura Berman, PhD, author of The Passion Prescription: Ten Weeks to Your Best Sex—Ever! Her suggestions: Choose artwork that celebrates various female shapes, and limit the time you spend watching TV shows or films populated by completely unrealistic women and men. “This is the perfect setting in which to begin rediscovering some body confidence.”
3. INVEST IN SENSUAL LINGERIE.
Don't just wear them when you're planning to have sex. Donning a soft lace bra and a matching pair of knickers under your everyday clothing will make you feel sexy at any time of the day. It’s really all about finding the right material and fit. If you must buy it in a size that doesn’t sound sexy, just do it (snip off the tag to feel better). Make sure your underwear gently hugs the curves of your body and makes you giggle with pleasure when you see how hot you look in the mirror.
4. HEAT THINGS UP.
If you can’t stand working out in the gym, burn calories while doing something that makes you feel sexy. Dance studios now offer belly dancing, exotic dancing, and even pole dancing classes—workouts that reshape your body and encourage you to let go of your inhibitions. Carla, who took a pole dancing class, says, “At first, I kept laughing at how silly I looked in the mirror. But after a few sessions, I got into the music and the moves! It was very liberating and made me more confident about my body."
5. STRIP DOWN TO YOUR BIRTHDAY SUIT.
When you get some alone time, walk around your home in the nude. It’s the easiest way to feel comfortable in your own skin. “As you pass mirrors, glance and appreciate the beauty of your body,” writes Hilda Hutcherson, M.D. in her bookPleasure: A Woman’s Guide to Getting the Sex You Want, Need, and Deserve. If you have a private backyard, get naked outside. Feel the sunshine against your skin, the wind tickle every part of you, and how good it all feels.
6. FIND A GENIE IN A BOTTLE.
Sometimes, a little beauty product can work its magic to make you feel more confident pronto. A silky body oil applied on skin can make shoulders and legs look sleek and sexy.Self-tanning lotion can lessen the appearance of cellulite and give the illusion of looking slimmer. The right scent sprayed on your pulse points can make you walk with a spring in your step.
7. STRAIGHTEN UP.
When you hunch your shoulders, your gut sticks out, your breasts disappear, and you look shorter than you are. On the other hand, proper posture encourages you to pull back your shoulders, suck in your gut, and walk tall. You instantly look better, slimmer, and happier. Want to get into the habit of standing tall? Yoga and Pilates can work wonders.
8. THINK LIKE A MAN.
Men are not as critical as we women are about our own bodies. Men who are dedicated to their partners love them for who they are—including their imperfections and wobbly bits! What’s important is that you’re confident about your body. A spunky attitude and healthy self-esteem are two things that are appealing and sexy to men.
9. ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE.
Take an inventory of your best assets: Do you love your bow-shaped lips? Your head of naturally curly hair? The rich caramel color of your skin? Show it off! Emphasize your clavicle with a stunning pendant. Dust body shimmer onto your shoulders, then slip on a halter top. Dare to wear a shorter skirt to call attention to your toned calf muscles. When you hone in on your most pleasing traits, you shift the focus away from what you don’t like to attractive qualities you feel more confident about.
10. TAKE PLEASURE IN YOUR SENSES.
Believe you are entitled to deriving joy and pleasure from your body right now—not once you’ve shed 20 pounds. Whether it’s the smell of freshly brewed coffee, the trill of birds chirping, or the soft sensation of pure Egyptian cotton on your skin, make a habit of stimulating these senses every day.
When you pamper your body with lots of TLC daily, you send a message to yourself that you are worth all the fuss and attention just the way you are. This growing confidence will reward you with courage to allow yourself more “perks,” including truly satisfying sex. “Learning to love and accept your body will make it easier for you to abandon yourself to sex, alone or with a partner,” says Dr. Hutcherson.
OPT FOR A WRAPERLESS LUNCH
Make your baon environment-friendly by going for wrapping-free food. This article from Medical News Todaypromotes “naturally packaged lunches” such as fruits and vegetables. They're perfect for moms who are looking for healthy lunch staples for their kids, as well as those who are going on a diet.GIVE TREES A BREAKThis article from Ecology.comdiscloses that around 4 billion trees worldwide are cut down to make paper. Lessen that statistic by making a conscious effort to cut down paper use. Thinking of making reviewers for finals? Type those on a portable media device instead of using pad paper. Making a to-do list for work? Jot it down on a small whiteboard instead. Are you a bookworm? Think about it this way: portable e-readers like the Amazon Kindleor Barnes and Noble Nook, computer applications likeMobiPocket Reader or Microsoft Reader, and audio books could be the best thing for trees since God made fresh water.USE RECHARGEABLE BATTERIESThe rainy season’s in full swing, and it’s important to stock up on batteries for emergency use. Stick with the rechargeable ones that you can repeatedly use. G Online reports that a 2007 study on rechargeable batteries found that rechargeable batteries have up to 32 times less impact on the environment than their single-charge counterparts.SAY NO TO INDIVIDUALLY-WRAPPED PRODUCTS
Do a household check and zero in on products that are individually wrapped. Take note of these the next time you head over the grocery and choose their bigger counterparts instead—shampoo bottles instead of sachets, a pack of laundry detergent as opposed to buying them in single pack, or a big tub of yogurt instead of single-serve cups. You can always transfer these to small reusable containers once you get home.USE COMPACT FLOURESCENT BULBS AS OPPOSED TO INCANDESCENT ONES
Leave the dark side by saying no to incandescent light bulbs.Energy Star recommends compact fluorescent light bulbs instead. Those that have the Energy Star seal use 75 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs and are known to last 10 times longer as well.CUT DOWN UNNECESSARY WATER USEGMANews.tv reports that the water level in Angat Dam, the major water supply in Metro Manila, is currently below critical level. As such, it is important to conserve water in every way that we can. Start with simple tasks such as turning the faucet off when you’re brushing your teeth or scrubbing the dishes. Also, avoid using the washing machine every other day when you only need to wash three to four articles of clothing. It will be better to wait for your laundry to pile up a bit so you can maximize your water use.DON'T STAND BY AN OPEN FRIDGE DOORWe are all guilty of this at one point or another. Not only is it burning holes in your wallet by contributing to your electricity bill, it also leads to unnecessary bingeing as well. Ditch this habit by avoiding the fridge unless you really need to get food for meals.PAY YOUR BILLS ONLINEA lot of paper goes to sending billing statements through snail mail. Opt to go the electronic route by paying utilities and credit card bills online. Pay a visit to your bank to inquire about their online payment options. Once you get into the habit of paying electronically, you’ll not only be saving trees, you’ll also be helping to save our supply of fossil fuels: since you never need to leave the comforts or home or office, that cuts down fuel burned for transporting you to and from these basic errands.CHOOSE BIODEGRADABLE OPTIONS WHENEVER POSSIBLESome household staples such as detergents and cleaning products contain chemicals that do damage to our environment. Thanks to the growing “going green” movement, companies are offering products that are made up of biodegradable ingredients. Scour the supermarket for these alternatives instead. Even face, hair, and body care is going green, if you know where to look.GO FOR THE REAL THINGTrade in your disposable spoons, forks, and table napkins for the real thing. Cutlery and table napkins made of cloth are not only reusable, but they also look better than their use-and-toss counterparts. Are you a to-go girl, someone who consumes a lot of fastfood and lives part of her life in the take-out lane? Try your hand at cooking instead. Not only will it minimize garbage, but you might discover a latent talent for culinary arts as well!Yummy.ph offers recipes for novice and advanced cooks, and everyone in between! www.femalenetwork.com
