7 ways to boost your body confidence

Image: Imani Covis

Everyone struggles with body confidence at some point in their life and you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who is 100% happy with the way they look.

Despite confidence issues simply being a part of life, there's lots of little things you can do to improve your mood, and feel happier and more confident on a daily basis.

Here's 7 ways you can start today...

 Exercise

It's common knowledge that exercise is the key to shaping up and losing weight, but it also releases feel-good endorphins which lift your confidence and boost your mood. If you're having a bad day try hitting the gym for a workout, dancing to your favourite tunes or taking a stroll to get some fresh air. You're guaranteed to feel better in an instant.

Positive thinking

Sometimes it's hard not to notice things you don't like and feel badly about yourself, but next time you look in the mirror try focusing on three things you love. When you feel yourself thinking negative thoughts, replace them with positive ones and remind yourself of your strengths and all the things you're good at.

Be nice

As well as making people around you happy, being nice makes you happy too. Make someones day by smiling or giving them a compliment. Not only will you be spreading the love and making them feel good, you may also get a compliment in return so it's a win-win situation.

Sexy underwear

Who cares if you're the only one who's going to see it? Knowing that you're wearing super-sexy underwear under your normal clothes will make you feel confident, put-together and powerful. Think of it as your version of a superman suit. Bonus points if it's a matching pair.

Scent

Scent has the power to transform your mood instantly. Instead of saving your favourite scent for special occasions, wear it every day. Alternatively treat yourself to a new one that you associate with good feelings and positive thoughts. When you need a confidence boost give it a spritz and revel in the happiness and great feeling. 

Smile

It has been scientifically proven that smiling tricks your brain into thinking you are happy - even when you're not. On days when you're feeling down, keep a big grin on your face and pretend you've just won the lottery. You'll soon notice a change in your mood as well as in others around you - smiling really is infectious.

Posture

Similarly to smiling, the way you hold your body conducts a message to your brain about how you're feeling. In situations where you need a confidence boost, sit, stand or walk tall, and not only will you feel more confident in yourself, you will portray that message to others and confidence will ooze out of you.

Shop the post

Leggings | Pink Soda

Water Bottle | Nike

Sports Bra | H&M

Juvenate Trainers | Nike

Lace Body | ASOS

Lace Bra | H&M

Lace Bottoms | H&M
Black Lingerie Set | Bluebella

Blue Embroidered Set | ASOS

Flowerbomb | Viktor & Rolf

White Musk Smoky Rose | The Body Shop
Modern Muse | Estée Lauder
Black Orchid | Tom Ford

Decadence | Marc Jacobs

Beautiful breakfasts

Breakfast has always been my favourite meal of the day, I've never understood people who can go without eating in the morning - I need food to function!

I always allow time to sit down and enjoy a good breakfast, even if it means getting up extra early. That quiet, blissful moment when nobody else is up yet allows me to wake up properly and prepare for the day ahead.

I've never been much of a savoury breakfast person and always opt for fruit, granola or pastries over eggs and cooked breakfasts, although this can sometimes lead to unnecessary amounts of sugar - the last thing you want to be fueling your body with in the morning.

Here's a few of my favourite healthy breakfast recipes that are both delicious and nutritious, and are a great way to begin your day.

Holly xx

Berrylicious porridge (serves 1)

A deliciously fruity take on standard porridge, this warming bowl of goodness will keep you full until lunch and satisfy your sweet tooth without adding any sugar.

Ingredients

50g rolled oats

250ml almond/coconut/oat/rice milk

1 handful raspberries

1 handful chopped strawberries

1 handful blueberries

Flaked almonds (optional)

Cinnamon (optional)

Method
-Place the oats and milk in a saucepan, bring to the boil and simmer for 4-5 minutes while stirring.

-Add the berries and simmer for a further minute.
-Mix in the almonds, a sprinkle of cinnamon and serve.

Superfood smoothie (serves 1)

You would never guess it contains half of your daily serving of greens, but this tasty antioxidant packed smoothie will fill you up, give you lots of energy and make your skin glow.

Ingredients

1 chopped banana

1 handful blueberries

1 handful spinach

1 handful kale

1 stalk chopped celery

10cm sliced cucumber

1-2 tbsp cashew/almond butter

250 ml almond/coconut/oat/rice milk

1-2 tbsp chia seeds

1-2 tbsp lemon juice

Method

-Combine ingredients in a blender.

-Mix in the chia seeds and serve.

Almond and coconut granola (serves 10)

The perfect weekend breakfast, this refined-sugar, wheat and gluten free granola is best enjoyed with fresh blueberries, a dollop of coconut yoghurt and the Sunday paper.

Ingredients

500g rolled oats

10g flaked almonds
1 handful raisins/sultanas

5 tbsp dessicated coconut

2 tbsp maple syrup/raw honey

2 tbsp melted coconut oil

100 ml almond milk

2-3 tbsp cinnamon 

Method
-Preheat oven to 180C.

-Place all ingredients except the dessicated coconut in a mixing bowl and combine well.

-Spread evenly on a greased baking tray and place in the oven for 10 minutes.

-Carefully turn over the mixture then bake for a further 15 minutes until the oats are golden and crunchy.

-If you prefer a more 'baked' taste leave for a little longer - just make sure it doesn't burn.

-Remove from oven and leave to cool.

-Once cool, transfer mixture into a bowl and add the dessicated coconut and a little more cinnamon to taste.

Berry yoghurt bowl

A quick,easy and satisfying breakfast loaded with berry goodness and the options of hundreds of different toppings.

Ingredients

1 handful raspberries

1 handful strawberries

1 handful blueberries

1/2 chopped banana (optional)

1-2 handfuls granola/rolled oats

150g coconut/soya yoghurt

Method

-Place the yoghurt and berries/banana in a bowl.
-Sprinkle with oats/granola and top with an optional dash of honey, maple syrup or cinnamon.

Hello April

Well that went quick... 

Dinners, drinks, blogger events and a long Easter weekend have been the highlights of March, and I am now about to enter the final term of my second year at university! Scary.

April is set to be a busy month, with a portfolio deadline looming, various projects to organise and a fashion week to cover - it's going to be challenging but i'm so excited to get stuck in and make the most of the beautiful new season.

It's time to spring clean, start fresh and embrace spring's new awakening.

Out with the old and in with the new.

Have a great month!


Holly xx

Here's a few pics from the last month...

 Blogging for #NottmFW

 All pink errythang

 Everyday

Berrylicious breakfast

 Spring beauty

Werk werk werk #Gym

Veggie courgetti 

 Thursday night fun

Calypso nails

Saturday night

Party time

Mirror mirror on the wall

Can you guess my favourite chocolate?

Happy Easter!

For more pics follow me on Instagram @misshollyamber

Hello February

January seems to have lasted forever and Christmas is now a distant blur.

I've been extremely busy revising for exams and trying my best to avoid the January blues (although I've only just stopped mourning the end of Christmas).

Due to the work load I haven't been able to post on the blog as much as I'd have liked, but hopefully that will soon change and regular posting will resume once again.

Following Christmas I've enjoyed getting back into a healthy routine, as well as a few cheeky dinner/cocktail dates thrown in for good measure ;-) 

I am most definitely looking forward to my two-week break so I can relax, chill and recover from my PET (Post Exam Trauma).

What have you been up to? Any exciting plans for February?

Holly xx

Here's a few pics from the last month...

Raspberry nails

Egg & avo on toast = favourite

Every day

Feb issue

New shades: Diva & Ruby Woo

#Mood

Note to self: Don't eat the whole bar

Homemade coconut almond granola

Tuesday night Mojitos

Pizza date with the girls. Hello chubby cheeks

Beautiful boy *heart face emojis x100*

Cacao brownie... heaven

Smoothie time #Gettheglow

Always

In LOVE with this fragrance

Dessert Mexican style

For more pics follow me on Instagram @misshollyamber

September

October already? Really?

Summer has literally zoomed by and I am now back in Nottingham all set to start my second year at university.

The three-month break was a good one and I managed to fit in lots of things such as catching up with family and friends, visiting new places and making the most of being back home again.

As nice as it's been, I'm so excited to start year two of my journalism course and jump back into student life again - although I will certainly miss seeing my family and a certain little puppy every day! :-(

What have you been upto the past month? Anyone else returning to/starting university? 

Holly xx

Here's a few pics from the last month...

Words can't explain how much I will miss seeing this little face every day :-(

Oreo cookie cake ice cream sundae... need I say more? *drools*

Birthday cookie mmm

September issue

Eggs and avo = favourite

Lunchin' 

Cannot put this book down! Definitely a must read

Beautiful boy

Healthy cooking

#ELLEinspire

Body Shop treats

Pretty flowers fresh from the garden

The beautiful gardens at Coton manor

For more pics follow me on Instagram @misshollyamber