How "Fit" is Your Self-Image?

Are you ready to embrace a new, more positive attitude about yourself? What I mean by that is aren't you tired of feeling badly about the way you look? Isn't it time to stop beating yourself up for every extra pound, blemish, or bad hair day?

I understand how you feel! I used to belittle my self-image, too. I was in my twenties, which were technically the BEST, physically fit years of my life! What a waste of time and energy. Little did I know that my life would get better and I would learn to love every single body flaw and recognize and celebrate all my assets. Yin and yang. Life as reality. No one is born with a perfect body. I'm especially referring to the airbrushed, sucked in, tucked, squeezed, pinched, and digitally altered teenage women/girls portrayed in fashion magazines. Real women have assets and flaws, but they know how to accentuate the positive and camouflage the negative, so all you see is a vibrant, "walk-into-a-room-and-own-it" confident woman. 

How Would You Like a More Fit Self-Image?

We talk alot about getting fit physically by exercising, eating healthy, and protecting our skin from too much sun. I would like to broaden the conversation to include exercising the way you think about your body and your appearance and building up your CONFIDENCE MUSCLES.  When you have a strong, confident self-image you can withstand anything that comes your way. You can resist the negative self-talk, fight off inner self-doubt, and ignore the "nay-sayers" in your life who tell you you're not good enough, thin enough, or smart enough, to follow your dreams. With well-developed confidence muscles you'll be strong enough to listen to your own inner voice (your intuition) rather than to what others say.

We all know women who always look "put-together." You may think it takes a huge effort on her part to choose just the right clothing and accessories every day. But, as an image consultant I will let you in on a big secret: it's easy to look "put-together" when your closet is filled with all the right colors and styles that bring out your best assets. Learning your best colors and most flattering fashion styles for your body shape is one of the most important ways you can stay "fit" as you build up your SELF-IMAGE FITNESS.  

For anyone who is struggling with weight issues, it is important to feel supported and loved by others, but even more important to support and love yourself. It's not easy to take the bull by the horns and commit to a healthier lifestyle, saying goodbye to all the comfort that food delivers. I know how difficult it is to break old habits, walk away from old friends, and start down a mysterious, new path. But here's the thing: when you feel your body getting stronger and fitter, and you find yourself with more fashion choices, your CONFIDENCE MUSCLES will pull you along and support you in a way you never imagined!

Here are 3 Ideas to Develop and Flex
Your Confidence Muscles:

1. Make a promise to take twenty minutes every day to do something that makes you happy, just for you. It can be sitting down to read your favorite book or magazine, walking around the neighborhood and smelling the flowers, going to the gym, or taking a steamy bath with a few drops of lavender oil.
   
2. Create a Self-Image Fitness Style Book that represents the beautiful, powerful woman you are inside and out, in every occasion of your life, such as work, social events, volunteer work, and special occasions. Start by looking through Pinterest boards, or cutting out pictures from fashion magazines. Think about what you would like to say with your appearance -- your signature style. For instance, below is a page from a True Colors Style Book that I create for clients. In this example, I put together an outfit Jessica can wear to gallery openings with her husband. Now, Jessica has a vision of how fantastic and put-together she can look! You can create your own style book, or contact me, and I'll be happy to do it for you.
   
   
3. If you are currently in the midst of a weight loss program, I understand you may not want to invest in a whole new wardrobe just yet. Here's a way to look and feel attractive while you're losing weight. Get together with a group of women who are in a weight loss program and start a Clothing Exchange Group. Whether you're involved with Weight Watchers, a Weight Loss Surgery Center, or another group, there are plenty of women in various stages of weight loss who have clothes they don't wear anymore. Host a party and ask the women to bring clothes to donate, and everyone can go shopping for free! Then, as you lose more weight, you can return the clothes to the group so others can wear them. 
   

Take the Next Step Toward a Transformational Lifetime of Confidence!

Whatever stage of Self-Image Fitness you're currently in, I applaud you, and would like to support you in your transformational journey. I'm offering a free 30-minute personal style consultation via Skype where we can discuss your fashion issues, concerns, and questions. I can help you discover a new way to see yourself and your new shape by transforming the way you dress. Click here and fill out the "Free 30 Minute Consultation" form on my Grow Confidence website.