First of all I love (capitol L-O-V-E) Carson Kressly and the Lifetime network for the show “How to look good naked”, if you’re unfamiliar with the concept it’s an hour of t.v. where they take a woman with body issues and show her how to play up her assets but then they take it one step further by getting her to pose naked (very fine art nude). While I dig it immensely I see the limitations, let’s face it even the women we see in the street who look stellar may have something about themselves that they don’t like and while looking fab is definitely a big deal feeling fab is much fiercer. So my lovelies let me help you feel good naked, no surgery, crash diets or deals with the devil required.
1. The mirror doesn’t lie but you might: Ok before you start typing the hate mail let me explain, all I’m saying is that what you see is what you get BUT how you choose to interpret it is a singular choice, one you get to remake every time you peer into the looking glass. Rather than focusing on a few ounces of arm fat that no one but you really notices anyway or zeroing in on whatever it is you may consider your biggest flaw take a second to evaluate the positive. I don’t really like the scars on my legs (I was an accident prone little lass) but I love their shape and so that’s where I let my attention linger.
2. Get some male perspective: I’m learning that while some men dig the airbrushed or the airheads that most quality guys go for girls who are more natural and when it comes to the way we look they are way more forgiving about are supposed defects. So what you have stretch marks or are a little rounder than you’d like, there are guys who are just loving the fact that they get to see you sans clothes so rather than being all self conscious and ruining what could be a great workout/ motivational boost (please tell me you understand where I’m going with that) just relax and let him tell you how sexy you are without argument.
3. Stop comparison shopping: Here’s a bit of medicine that may not go down well with some of you; chances are you’ll never look like the girls in the magazine and even if you are one of those girls chances are you don’t look like that-at least not all the time. When you spend so much time focused on what makes someone else’s body beautiful you tend to lose the beauty in your own form.
4. Pamper yourself: Unlike a pair of pumps that can feasibly be replaced if ruined if you screw up your skin you’re left with just that: an outer layer that’s less than flattering. There’s nothing wrong with taking a little extra time to exfoliate, cleanse and condition. Learn your skin type (I’m oily in the summer and dry in the winter) and find a regimen that works for you. Don’t get suckered into buying some celebrity endorsed system because while someone in the limelight may use it also remember that they have a whole team of paid stylists whose sole job is to make them look like magic. If store brand toner works for you then work with it and if you do invest in something pricey make sure it’s producing results.
5. Spend some time with nothing on but a smile: I’m not suggesting a visit to a nudist colony (although if you do decide to go send me a post card) but an important part of being comfortable in the skin you’re in is to spend some time in it and nothing else. Make a few phone calls or paint your toe nails, the point is to be naked and not showering or doing the mattress mambo (activities I assume you’d be naked for normally). This doesn’t have to be a huge block of time, five to ten minutes will suffice and I assure you, you’ll feel a little sexier for having done so.
Of course a little self esteem booster never hurt either, so every day tell yourself how fierce you are!