Written by Jenna Bleakly of 'Just a Girl in her Thirties'
Ironically, the summer I was at my lightest was the summer I never wore a bikini. I dodged invitations to pool parties and the beach like I was dodging an ex in the supermarket.
Anything that involved me baring all for my peers was a firm no from me.
I was afraid. I had a poor body image after competing in fitness bodybuilding competitions earlier in the year. I criticised my body every day, telling myself I wasn't lean enough, that I wasn't good enough and I believed it.
Fast forward 10-years and just last week I happily agreed to a swimwear photoshoot for my friend's brand
Ocean Eyes Swim. I didn't do any dieting or training to prep either, in fact, I ate cinnamon doughnuts the night before at a Christmas fair. Despite being 6kg heavier than I was back in 2013, something else has changed, something inside of me. That something is body confidence.
Whether you are a size 6 or a size 16, to look and more importantly feel good in a bikini this summer you do not need to physically change a thing.
Read my tips for soaring body confidence this summer.
1. Positive Mentality Your thoughts become your reality. If you keep telling yourself you are too fat/old//wrinkley/wobbly/short, you'll eventually believe it to be true. Pivot negative thoughts into positive ones, instead of worrying about cellulite on your legs, think about something you love about your body. Maybe it's how strong and powerful your legs are or perhaps you love your shape and curves.
2. Posture Your body language can influence how you feel above yourself. When I feel self-conscious, I tend to hunch over, cover my tummy with my hands and make myself as small as possible in a feat to disappear from an uncomfortable situation. Instead, if I choose to stand or sit up tall, with my shoulders back and take up more space I not only appear more confident and attractive, but I feel it too.
3. Follow Positive Accounts James Smith refers to the confidence diet in his book '
How to be Confident'. He is referring to all the content we consume, news, social media, and influencers. If you only follow accounts with highly curated and edited or photoshopped images, you are going to have a warped sense of what is real.
Instead, follow inclusive brands, follow people that inspire you and make you feel good and motivated,
4. Choose Swimwear That is Right for YOU F#$k trends! Choose swimwear that enhances your body, is comfortable and that makes you feel confident. Don't worry about what is trending, confidence never goes out of fashion.
There are so many styles that will suit different bodies. If you don't want to bare all, then don't. You can buy cute cover-ups that will make you feel like Beyonce'.
Personally, I love high-cut bottoms to elongate my legs and bright colours look best on my skin tone.
5. Care For Your Skin Skincare shouldn't be reserved for just your face. Give your body some TLC with a delicious coffee scrub, a nourishing moisturiser or a little self-tan. I am always amazed at how much a fake tan increases my confidence. Don't forget to use SPF when out in the sun, sun exposure is not only dangerous, it can cause wrinkles and pigmentation.
Looking good in a bikini is not about having a flat stomach and a big booty with no cellulite in sight, it is a mindset that no diet or training program can achieve. We women can be so harsh on ourselves, even when we are perfectly healthy and look amazing. It's time to let go of the insults and self-loathing and embrace the positives, once you do that, you will feel free.
