One of my goals this year is to lose 25 pounds. I am not happy with my the way my body looks or feels right now and I really want to do something about it in 2023. But healthy weight loss takes time and discipline and while I’m on this weight loss adventure, I don’t want to go around feeling bad about my body in the meantime. So I’ve decided that while I’m working on losing the weight, I’m also going to work on feeling good about my body regardless of the size I currently am.
If you’re like me and you’re looking to drop some weight or inches this year then bravo for committing to a healthier you! But also, if you’re like me and health goals are hard to stick with, let me encourage you with 10 ways you can feel good about your body before you even start losing weight. A bunch of this is going to be stuff you already know but it never hurts to be reminded of the little ways we can take care of ourselves.
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Wear clothes that fit your body now
I know you’ve probably heard this before but it truly is really important. No matter what size your body is now, whether you love it or not, your clothes should fit the size you are, not the size you want to be. Don’t wait until you’ve reached your ideal weight – dress it well now. The better you feel about how your body looks and feels in clothes now, the more motivated you’ll be to make healthy choices.
Stretch
Exercise is, of course, important for weight loss but there’s a little something else you can do to make you feel good – stretching. I love a good stretch in the morning and right before I go to bed. I also stretch when I’m blow drying my hair and I try to get up to stretch when I’m sitting and working for long periods of time at my desk.
Eat nourishing food
Obviously, this is part of actually losing weight but it also goes a long way to make you feel good. Think about what foods make your body feel the best. What gives you energy? What makes your skin glow? What helps you sleep well at night? What is most nourishing? If you don’t know yet, figure out what what food is most nourishing for you and eat more of it!
Hydrate
This goes with eating nourishing food but it bears mentioning – you have to hydrate. Your brain needs it, your organs need it, your hair, skin and nails need it, it will only assist in weight loss, and you’ll feel and function better! If you don’t already have a water bottle that you enjoy using, then get one, figure out how much water you need every day and stick to it!
Shave
Okay so real talk, there are times, especially in the winter, when I can be in too much of a hurry or too lazy to shave my legs. And while I tolerate it, it’s not my favorite feeling. I always feel way more put together and comfortable when I shave regularly. Soooooooo in case you need a reminder to keep up with your razor, here it is. And make sure it’s a good razor. Make sure that when you get out of the shower, your legs (any other place you shave, tbh) feels silky smooth. And then when you moisturize, you’ll feel clean, sexy and on top of your game! Trust me!
Rest
This is absolutely the hardest for me. I do not get enough sleep or rest (which are two different things!). Too often I think I can push myself just a little more when what I really need is to take a break or just go to bed and get sleep. I’m sure we can both agree that when we get better rest and sleep, our bodies feel better overall. A lack of sleep can also impact your weight. I know, uuuuuugggggghhhhhh.
Of course, it’s not always as easy as committing to an earlier bed time or earlier wake up time. There are often several variables that need to be considered when it comes to making time for rest. Sometimes it means saying ‘no’ to something, delegating something, or just managing your time better! This is something I’m working on doing better at this year. If you need to as well, then let this be your sign – do what you need to do to make time for better rest and better sleep in 2023. Your body will thank you for it!
Only use products you love
There’s something about using self-care products that I really like and that make me feel good when I’m getting ready for the day or winding down for the night. Make sure you pick body wash or lotion that is good for your skin. Only keep the haircare or nail products you actually use and get rid of the stuff that’s been sitting untouched underneath your sink or in the bathroom cabinet for months and months. When you’re using your favorite products to take care of your body and not bothering with stuff that you don’t like or doesn’t work, you’ll feel good about your self-care routines which will, in turn, make you feel good about your body!
Do your hair & makeup
We all have our preferences when it comes to makeup. Some prefer little to none and while others like to have fun with lots of different products. Same with hair. Some like simple hairdos and others like to experiment with fun ways to express their personality through their hairstyles. Whatever you prefer and whatever best fits your lifestyle, take time to make sure you show up everyday feeling good about how you present yourself. It doesn’t matter if you spend your day in an office, a classroom, or playing pretend with your 5 year-old, show up looking your best and you’ll feel good about yourself even if you haven’t dropped the pounds yet.
Indulge
Okay, I know you and I are trying to lose weight but that doesn’t mean we have to deprive ourselves of every pleasure. Maybe you have to be strict with your food choices but there are definitely other ways to indulge. Maybe it’s a copy of your favorite magazine, a bubble bath, or fresh flowers on your desk or kitchen table. Maybe you treat yourself to a simple pair new fuzzy socks, a bottle of nail polish, or lip gloss. Maybe to try that recipe you saved on Pinterest last month, re-watch a favorite movie you haven’t seen in a long time, or turn on your favorite tunes and sing into your hairbrush like you used to in high school. Indulging in the things that light you up is a great way to feel good in your own skin!
Be kind to yourself
Last but not least, you need to make sure you’re being kind to yourself. If you’re in the habit of speaking negatively to yourself and about yourself, then you need to remember that you deserve to be treated with respect and kindness – especially by yourself. You may not be in the shape you want and may not love what you see in the mirror right now but that doesn’t mean you aren’t a beautiful daughter of the King. It doesn’t mean you don’t have value and worth. Treat yourself the way you treat someone you love and who’s opinion you value. You wouldn’t want your child, S/O, or best friend to talk badly about themselves, would you? So don’t let yourself do it to yourself. Be kinder and gentler to yourself and you’ll feel more comfortable in your own skin.
Let me know if you have any other tips for feeling good about your body without or before losing weight! I’d love to know what you think!
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