Let’s continue the body positive fun! This is an article written by Josée Sovinsky, a dietetic intern passionate about helping you make peace with food and your body. I’ve followed Josée on social media for awhile now and I appreciate her positive approach – I always come away glad I was there. It’s great to surround yourself with people like that; you know, the ones that make you feel good about being you. Here she tackles how to feel beYOUtiful this summer…
How to Feel Beautiful This Summer
Guest Blog by Dietetic intern, Josée Sovinsky
Twitter: @joseesovinsky
Facebook: Josée Sovinsky Nutrition
Instagram: @joseesovinksy
As summer quickly approaches, it’s hard to ignore the explosion of ads for weight loss and beauty. Although the return of sunshine and warm weather should be a happy, refreshing time of year, it is far from being the case for many of us. Dieting, exercise routines, tanning beds, hair removal… you name it. With “bikini season” just around the corner, many are looking for ways to change their bodies.
The problem is, it’s not our body that needs changing – IT’S OUR ATTITUDE.
By focusing on how we look in our bikinis, we forget the reason we are wearing them in the first place – to enjoy the sun, cool down in the pool, relax, etc. Summer is so short-lived, why ruin it by shifting all our attention on how we look?
There are many things we can do this summer to help us feel beautiful.
Staying away from the scale – Remember a number on scale won’t tell you how kind, caring, loved and beautiful you are. A number cannot define who you are. By staying away from the scale, you can focus on the important things like nourishing your body and enjoying life!
Avoiding commenting on bodies– Have you ever noticed how commenting on someone’s weight loss can make you rethink your own weight? When we comment other people’s body, we are once again bringing the focus on external beauty instead of concentrating on the reasons that make people truly beautiful. Spreading compliments can brighten someone’s day, but we get a lot more satisfaction out of it when the compliment isn’t body-based. For example, tell someone how much they matter to you, how you love their enthusiasm or how contagious their passion is.
Hanging motivational quotes near mirrors
This is a simple tip that can go a long way. By having that constant reminder that we are worth it, we are more likely to believe it. Here a few examples:
“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance” – Oscar Wild
“Confidence will make you happier than any diet ever will”
“There is no wrong way to have a body”
“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line” – Lucille Ball
Eating foods we enjoy
Summer is the time for barbecuing, drinking lemonade and eating popsicles. It’s important to allow ourselves to eat the food we enjoy. Only them can we be truly satisfied and avoid overeating.
Finally, surround yourself with people who lift you up, enjoy the beautiful weather and embrace your body. You are one in a million and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.