Real Talk 3rd June 2015 by Victoria Stokes
5 Ways To Feel Beach-Body Confident Without Going On A Diet
Body confidence has very little to do with a number on a scale, so we found five ways to feel fierce on the beach this summer that don't involve a punishing diet and exercise regime.
Scrub
Worried about cellulite or dimply skin? Try dry-brushing. It’ll break down fat cells and boost circulation, giving skin a more taut, toned appearance. The best method? Start at your feet and brush upwards, towards your heart, until you cover your legs, back, stomach and lower part of your chest.
Flatter
Wearing something you know looks good is a surefire way to feel confident. “Finding the right fit is vital when it comes to the perfect bikini,” says stylist Naomi Clarke from The Style Fairy. “Don’t worry what size the label says, that’s irrelevant, as every shop and every style can be different; find the fit that flatters you. Make sure it sits smoothly around the hips and bum and doesn’t dig into you.”
Hydrate
You don’t need to make any major tweaks to your diet to de-bloat and boost your energy levels. Simply guzzle your recommended eight glasses a day on the countdown to your holliers to help flush out toxins and water retention. Bored of plain old H2O? Add lemon and lime for a citrus kick.
Nourish
Forget calorie counting and restrictive eating and focus on eating nourishing, nutrient-rich foods instead. Dietician Gillian McConnell recommends you “switch snacks like bread, chocolate and crisps with low-carb, high protein snacks like hummus, low fat cheese, roasted chickpeas and fruit with nut butter.”
Pose
A study by the Ohio State University found that our posture really affects the way we feel about ourselves, so if you find yourself feeling self conscious on the beach try some power-posing moves. Our fave? The Wonder Woman pose. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, hands on hips and shoulders back for two minutes for an instant confidence boost.