Staying fit has always been about more than keeping your limbs limber and your heart rate at a steady pace. In a lot of ways, it’s even about more than making sure your arteries are functioning well and that you maintain a happy, healthy outlook on life.
Although exercise and healthy eating is about all these things, they can all be summed up in one umbrella term …
…. confidence.
Gaining confidence is the reason you hit the gym, the main factor behind your need to enjoy rippling abs, a perky bust and the kind of arms that would make even Michelle Obama jealous.
But confidence isn’t something that can only be gained from a busy fitness schedule – it’s a combination of physical and emotional factors. That’s why we’ve decided to create this list of confidence boosters for every aspect of your health. Take a look and see how you can turn your body into a temple of confidence.
Yoga
The power of yoga, with its muscle-pulling stretches and intricate movements, has been big with celebs for decades, with A-listers like Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon all practising this ancient Indian art.
But the exercise isn’t just a way to make yourself that little bit more flexible. It can also be the perfect way to improve your mental wellbeing and, in turn, your confidence.
In his book Reasons to Stay Alive, writer Matt Haig said: “I was a yogaphobe, but now am a convert. It’s great because unlike other therapies, it treats the mind and the body as part of the same whole.”
That ability to develop your body and mind, without the competitive elements associated with jogging or other physical activities, can teach you to be satisfied in your own body, making it well worth a try.
Feeling good about your body
While heading under the knife for a breast enlargement might seem a little extreme at first glance, there is proof that having your ideal cup size can make you at least a little more satisfied in your appearance, and a lot more confident.
According to blogger Jenny Eden, a boob job was the ideal route to greater confidence, especially between the sheets.
“I’m really happy to tell you that getting an augmentation gave me a lot more confidence in the bedroom”, said Jenny. “I could immediately tell that my self-esteem had been amplified, and I was really excited to explore all the new expressions of intimacy that breast implants made possible.”
In part, this increase in personal confidence has a direct correlation with a similar increase in body confidence. The better you look, the better you feel. The 51,000 Britons who went for cosmetic surgery in the UK last year can’t be wrong, surely?
Positivity
Getting back to mental attitudes, let’s look at the role that a positive outlook can have on your confidence. Without getting all new-age about the process, thinking positive thoughts about the world around you can increase your sense of self-worth.
You’ve all met magnetic people at parties or in your workplace. They don’t have some kind of magical secret. All they have is a positive mental outlook in life. This might seem easier said than done, but there are plenty of self-help books on the market that can help you feel a little more confident in your own skin.
A gym buddy
Going to the gym can be great for your concentration, but going it alone can see your motivation occasionally nosedive.
Having a gym buddy to point out how much fitter you’re getting week-on-week can be the ideal way to boost your confidence while you’re puffing away on the treadmill or trying to lift those dumbbells.
We’re herd animals by nature and, as such, even the most solipsistic of us need the validation of others from time to time. So don’t be afraid to ask your gym partner’s opinion on your fitness regime and how they think you’re improving. Chances are it’ll make you feel a lot more comfortable in your body.
Got any tips of your own on how to improve body and mental confidence? Then let us know in the comments below!