Body confidence is an important topic which we’ll talk about here, lending advice to everyone, whether you’re a model – current, soon-to-be or not. It doesn’t matter, to be honest – we hope this reading will benefit everyone reading it.

Can we ever be body positive?

Do you hate it when the summer comes and you don’t know what to wear? You would rather sweat it out than wear something that might even give a sneak peek of your ankles! We know the feeling!

Gaining body confidence is achievable (even if it’s hang-ups about your ankles!) but you’ll need to work at it, a bit like exercising but exercising your thought process. Those niggling thoughts can persistently whisper in the background. Utterly annoying, right?

We deserve to cheer ourselves on because only we can turn our feelings around. We’re unique creatures but mustn’t destroy even a nugget’s worth of positive emotion we have towards ourselves. Those nuggets are precious gems which can then snowball into something bigger, something much more liberating and powerful. Being accepting of who we are and being true to ourselves is the key to freeing our minds of negativity towards ourselves and in turn, just loving who we are! We want to look in the mirror and say, “wow” no matter what! We know it won’t always happen but we can certainly give it our best shot. 

2022 should be your year of trying to love who you are and letting go

Whether that’s letting go of thoughts, ideas, routines, habits and maybe people that bring you down, this year and for the many years to come, should be about enhancing your thought process and promoting body positivity for you and those around you too.

How can we be confident about our bodies?

Here are some ways you can capture the essence of this hot topic.

Positive affirmations

We have thousands of thoughts that run through our minds every day. It is estimated that 50,000 (some sources even state 70,000) are processed so you can say that our brains are prettttty busy! Unfortunately for us, around 70% to 80% of those are not the good ones according to Sarah Lambersky’s Financial Post article. They’re negative, therefore need zoning out and managing efficiently. Can we do this? Yes, of course, we can. It’s no easy task for one person but it’s not impossible either. Positive affirmations can be the beginning of that journey. Repeating only good words to yourself over and over will embed reinforced good thoughts where confidence will come more naturally to you. In the end, hopefully, you’ll give yourself more hope, determination and self-love.

Show yourself that you care

The idea of self-care might not come easily to you especially if you care for others more than yourself. But you matter! You have a right to take care of your thoughts, opinions, feelings and ideas. Learn to love yourself and your body better. Appreciate yourself, your skills, your abilities, your successes and your accomplishments! You are amazing!

It’s me-time

How many times a day do you take time out for yourself? Once? Twice? Maybe no time whatsoever? Well, it’s time to make a change and dedicate some valuable me-time because you deserve to reconnect with yourself. Find yourself, who you are, what makes you tick, what you like and don’t like (preferably not your body), and unleash your confidence, drive and zest for life.

We hope you enjoyed reading this. Let the negativity fizzle away and enjoy life with a more positive outlook on your body.

So, what are our Top 5 best foods to eat when the weather is hot?

1. Try to incorporate hydrating foods into your diet during the summer months. We all know how important it is to drink when the weather is warm and eating hydrating foods can help. Cucumber is great because it contains so much water. Try adding it to your sandwiches and salads and have a go at making different dishes with it, such as tzatziki or even cucumber soup – or just slice a wedge up and nibble on throughout the day. Watermelon is also great for hydrating and for giving you vitamins A, B6 and C, as well as lycopene, an antioxidant that might help prevent or slow damage to the cells.

2. One or two oranges a day can be a great addition to the summer diet. They are really easy to pop in your bag and to eat if you make a small hole in the top and suck out all the juice before opening them up. If you are at home and can manage the stickiness, then slice them up and pop them in your glass every time you have some water. It makes for a nice sweet treat at the end of your drink. Most of us know that oranges are also rich in vitamin C, which has a range of health benefits, including protecting the immune system. They also have potassium in them which may help ward off cramp, which can occur when you lose salt through sweating.

3. Summer fruit: strawberries, raspberries and blueberries are among the fabulous summer fruit options that bring enormous health benefits – but again don’t overdo it or you might upset your stomach. Try putting a handful of berries on your morning cereal or in a bowl of natural yoghurt – or make a delicious, cool smoothie to take with you when you go out or to enjoy at home. Among the many benefits of eating summer berries are the fact they are anti-oxidant rich and contain vitamin C and fibre. Raspberries are also a great source of vitamin K, which helps build strong bones and assists in blood clotting.

4. Fresh fish can be a superb addition to any summer diet and is often available in abundance when we head off on our holidays to sunnier climes. It is a great addition to a summer salad when we don’t feel like eating a heavy meal during warm weather or can be accompanied by delicious summer new potatoes and fresh, leafy greens. Try salmon, mackerel and sardines for protein and omega-3 fatty acids that can help with blood pressure, inflammation and long-term health issues such as heart disease. Mussels, oysters, squid and crab can also be good sources of omega-3.

5. Salads are the perfect summer food as they can be the ideal light option for a hot day as they contain lots of hydrating vegetables such as cucumber, radish, lettuce and tomato. Try to make a rainbow salad that incorporates a spectrum of colours. That way you can be sure you are giving your body a good range of nutrients. Make sure you add some protein too – try fish, chicken or boiled egg, or for vegans, a handful of nuts or some tofu. Include leafy greens for their vitamins A, C and beta-carotene, which bring a range of health benefits, including ensuring healthy organs. Try to include some spinach, kale and romaine leaves, which are among the most nutritious. Salads are also rich in fibre, which can help aid our digestion in the summer months when we may not always drink as much as we should. They can help us feel light and energised, when a heavier meal may well bring lethargy and fatigue when the weather is hot. For those trying to lose weight healthily, salads can be a low calorie yet nutrient rich option but do make sure your salad is well balanced and part of a daily diet that offers you all the energy you need. And, finally, salads can be fun – experiment with different ingredients: include some fruit if you wish and take satisfaction in sitting down to a glorious plate of colour that really does bring you some summer joy!

Find more great seasonal advice and tips from Models Direct.