How to Feel Confident in Your Skin Now

There are ways to feel confident in your own skin, says our guest editor Nik Toth.

Many of us are guilty of always wanting something more, something different, perhaps wanting to be taller, richer or skinnier. It’s human nature to think that the grass is greener on the other side.

But why are we yearning for the things we don’t have, instead of appreciating the things that we do? Why are we wasting our lives waiting for the perfect moment, the perfect body or the perfect job, when in reality whatever we have is already perfect?

Many women (and men) compare themselves to others, which causes a constant feeling of unworthiness and suffering.

But what if we could find ways to live a happy life and feel confident in who we are, and simply love and accept ourselves?

Sounds like a crazy idea, doesn’t it? Perhaps it’s not such a crazy thought after all.

Each and every one of us is born with a different shape, size and personality, which is what makes us unique. These characteristics are what separates us from the rest, so really there’s no logic in comparing ourselves to others. Instead, we should focus on accepting and loving ourselves for who we really are, which is the fundamental principle to living a happy and abundant life, and feeling confident in our skin.

“But how can I start loving myself?” You may ask.

It’s easier than you think, and the good news is that you don’t have to take courses, spend more money or even leave the house; you can start working on this right away. What so many people miss is that if we can’t love ourselves for who we are unconditionally, then we can’t truly give love to others either. However, if we are willing to put in the effort to give ourselves the tick of approval and make peace with who we are, it will then start to radiate out from deep within.

Here are 5 simple ways to start loving yourself more and feel confident in your skin right now:

• Start doing more of what you love

When you’re doing something you love, it changes your energy and you’ll naturally become happier. Others will notice it too, and you’ll feel more vibrant and confident in everything that you do.

• Clean up your diet

When you eat clean healthy food, you’ll have a lot more clarity. Remember that the food choices you make are a direct reflection of your relationship to yourself. Every time you eat, ask yourself if the food is going to nourish you or make you feel like crap. If it’s not doing you any good, it’s probably not a wise choice.

• Do exercise you actually enjoy

If you are dreading your training, it’s easy to make excuses to skip it. When you exercise, your body produces endorphins that’ll naturally make you look more confident and feel better.

• Take time to chill out

Relaxing each day and allowing your body to unwind is crucial to feeling balanced and great in your skin. If you’re tired, you’re likely to reach for stimulants such as caffeine, sugar or junk foods, which can lead to weight gain and decrease your confidence. Take time to unwind each night or at least on the weekends, away from distraction such as social media.

• Start visualising

Visualising how you want your life (or body) to be is incredibly powerful. Some of the most successful people in the world, including Oprah and Tony Robbins, all do it. Get creative, make a vision board and create an exact idea of how you want things to be, imagine that you have all the resources to accomplish your goals, and that you are supported by your loved ones in doing this.

To get started, download my free vision planner here: www.theleanbodycoach.com/5-tips-to-bounce-back/

Some more things to think about: Louise Hay, American motivational author and founder of Hay House, suggests using positive affirmations daily when you first begin such as:

• “I love and approve of myself.”
• “I am beautiful and everybody loves me.”

Look at yourself and repeat these over and over every day in the mirror. It might seem strange at first, but you’ll be surprised at how easily it changes the way you feel about yourself.

It’s also important to accept the past as it is, rather than dwelling on it. Look at your past ‘mistakes’ as lessons you can learn from, knowing that whatever you’ve been through and whatever you may be going through right now is exactly what you have to go through in order to grow and become the best version of yourself.

Don’t use the past as an excuse for not achieving your goals. Instead, put more effort into living in the now and leaving the past behind. This way you’re a lot more likely to see positive changes.

The more you practice accepting and loving yourself, the more love you’re going to feel around you. We’re all worthy of love and acceptance, so it’s time to put the negative thoughts that are holding us back to rest, and start nourishing and embracing our bodies with the love it deserves.

Why not start right now by placing your hand over your heart and saying to yourself, “I love and forgive you,” and make yourself the promise to accept everything you are?

 

You can find Nik at theleanbodycoach.com and @theleanbodycoach on Facebook and Instagram.