6 Things I’ve Learned About Body Confidence

1. The size and shape of my body doesn’t define me

I’ve been a size 12, I’ve been a size 18 and everything in between. It doesn’t change who I am or affect my worth in this world.

2. Some days I love my body, other days I don’t

I’m OK with that. I might look in the mirror and like what I see one morning, and the next, my brain decides to focus on something that I’ve been conditioned to dislike. Push that little voice to one side and carry on with your day.

3. Fake it til you make it

On those days when I have a wobble, faking body confidence helps hugely. Looking in the mirror and pointing out something I do like. I reckon if I do this enough, I’ll start to feel better, right?

4. If clothes feel tight, buy a bigger size

I’m so over struggling into a too-small pair of jeans and feeling uncomfortable all day. Size up and get comfy. Over the summer, I started buying size 18 clothes and it was like my body actually sighed with relief.

5. The diet industry doesn’t want me to love my body

I’ve done the calorie counting, the points adding, the weekly weigh-ins, and it just made me miserable. The diet industry in the UK is worth a reported £2bn so there’s a lot of money in telling people they’d be happier if they lose weight. It’s poppycock (see point 1).

6. My kids couldn’t care less what my body looks like

My body grew and gave birth to three babies. They like snuggling up to my squashy tummy. They couldn’t care what size my arse is. I’d bet money on the fact they’ve never noticed my bingo wings. It’s good to remember who and what matters.

If you liked this, why not listen to this episode of Not Another Mummy Podcast where I chat to campaigner Molly Forbes about body confidence?