– Love your body-

I recently posted a photo of me on social media wearing a bikini, showing my imperfections. It is the same one pictured on this blog post (albeit slightly cropped).

I’m going to be very honest – I did backtrack a bit and question myself before posting it. Although I consider myself to be quite confident with the way I look, and at peace and actually happy with my body as it is, I contemplated posting it on my social media accounts.

Why?

Because social media most of the time only shows us the perfect. How many times have you come across women who upload photos of themselves with cellulite, or a less-than-toned tum? You might spot a few in Instagram stories, but it is very rare that these type of photos get posted in the main feed, for all to see for ever and ever.

That is precisely the reason I wanted to be bold yet vulnerable and post my one. I wanted to share that it’s perfectly normal and OK to have cellulite, scars, birthmarks, curves, and a tummy without washboard abs. Not only is it OK, but I wanted to show that I am HAPPY despite not being magazine perfect. The majority of women actually have bodies like these. Should you feel bad? No. Ashamed? Absolutely not. Grateful? Oh yes!

Grateful to have had the opportunity to dance through life for enough years to gain fat, cellulite, or fly off an off-road beach buggy like me and have scarred knees for life ? Grateful for being able to taste and devour the most tantalising foods you could not say no to.

And for the mums – I know that the majority of you reading this are mums – grateful for being blessed with pregnancies that have had you balloon to a huge size and result in gained kilos, stretchmarks, and a few other body changes that again, are completely normal and not only that, beautiful badges of pride.

Judging the feedback I got after posting the photo online, I know that there are a lot of you out there who are yet to make leaps and bounds to not only accept, but LOVE their body.

Here are a few tips to help you gain the confidence you need to start your journey towards self-love – and to love your body

1. Study your flaws

Nope, I’m not kidding. Look at each and every flaw you have, or rather, feel that you have. What are you unhappy with? Let me mention a few things about myself I used to view as flaws, and now are just less-desirable features that I’m perfectly fine with, and how I’ve put everything in a more positive light.
The beauty spots on the right side of my face – traits I’ve inherited from my saint of a Dad. They will always remind me of him 🙂
My scarred knees – I already mentioned flying off a beach-buggy, and that’s how I got mine. Oh, that and a little water slide accident. I’m grateful for the good times. I still don’t like the way my knees look but I’m okay with them.
My cellulite, and not-so-perfectly toned body – I went from hating this to loving this. I’m an average, healthy, 32 year old woman who’s birthed two kids. I love food. Life. Did I mention food? ?

2. Look at what you love

Sometimes we’re so focused on the negative, that the positive never sees the light of day. Go in front of a mirror, and start noticing what you love about yourself. Actually, I’ll ask you to go a step further and say them out loud. I love my complexion, my skin colour, my teeth, my body shape and my hair. There. If I’ve been brave enough to shout this out loud, I’m pretty sure you can say them to yourself!

3. Repeat daily

Every morning, or every night, spend one minute in front of the mirror and mentally note what you love about yourself, what you find less desirable, and why you’re ok with that. Start focusing more on what you love, rather than what you hate, and make the hate turn into acceptance. Start to love your body.

4. Move

Being active makes you feel good right off the bat. You needn’t make a commitment and sign up to anything official, even jumping up and down with your kids for a game of ball or dancing for 20 minutes a day will do the trick!

5. Stop comparing

I’m sure you’ve heard the quote “Comparison is the thief of joy.” , by Theodore Roosevelt. This is oh-so-true.
All bodies are unique. Everyone has a story. Comparing your body to others will only make you feel like you are not good enough if you are not careful.
If you find yourself comparing your body to someone who has built their success based on the way they look, you should ask yourself if the person inspires you. If the answer is yes, then perhaps you should look at this human from a more positive angle and not put yourself down.
But if the answer is no, it might be time to shift your focus elsewhere, and more specifically – towards the people who are inspiring you and make you feel AMAZING.

I hope that this blog post gives you a much-needed push towards accepting yourself and learning to love your body the way it is.

Happy Friday supermamas ?

Nakita xxx