You show me a woman (or man for that matter) who loves absolutely everything about their body, and I’ll show you a liar! That’s harsh, I suppose there are those rare unicorns out there somewhere, but I’ve never met one.

When you look at yourself in the mirror, what do you look at? Your smokin’ hot legs? Your fab-u-lous cleavage? Course not! For some reason, we are blind to our assets and focus on all the things we wish were a bit thinner, tighter, smaller (with two exceptions obvs), more defined and so on…

Why are we so pre-programmed to look for the negative, rather than the positive in our bodies?

Think of someone you know who has a body you envy. They will undoubtedly have just as many body hang ups as you but probably know how to dress well. I have decent legs (just sayin’) so you will find in my wardrobe a fair few short dresses – but I will never ever be seen in a dress that clings to my tummy and hips. I just don’t have the right body shape to pull that off – but people don’t see that. Just remember, everyone – supermodels and all – have imperfections.

And don’t even get me started on the celebrities that post their supposedly casual “look at me, just workin’ out, just chillin’…” selfies. But please, most of them have full time trainers, lots have had some work done and let’s face it, most of the the photos will be photo-shopped to within an inch of their lives. Yeah ok, there are people out there who age manificently- Halle Berry, looking at you!!! – but they are the 0.01%. Most celebrities show you what they want you to see – don’t fall for it.

Another thing – our body shape is partly down to genetics so whilst you can do your utmost to have Cindy Crawford’s body, if you are 5’2, I’m sorry to break it to you, Ms Crawford’s body is not going to be for you. But then think about all the Kylie Minogues of the world…no less fabulous just different genetics!

Trends come and go – flares, shell suits, double denim – some of my questionable choices – but very trendy at the time (honest)…and may I just say “eyebrows” (if you are a teen of the nineties, you know!) Body trends are no different. Just think about the female bodies that were considered desirable in the 50’s, then in the 80’s, the 90’s and today. Curves were considered super sexy, cue the 90’s and skinny waif/ heroin chic was the “in” look. Not everyone will have the the current “fashionable” body type. But it will change. All you can do is understand your own body shape and learn how to work it – Kylie style! (gold hotpants optional)

Now don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong at all with wanting to shed your mum-tum or tone your tush, but I guarantee you that once you have the abs or bum of your dreams, you will think maybe your legs are a big big, or you want to tone up your arms. And constantly feeling negative about your body is no way to live. So I challenge you…

Next time you look in the mirror, pick out your favourite part of your body. Go on…do it! Check yourself out, from all angles. See how good you look – tell yourself you are sexy. Keep doing it and maybe you will just start to believe yourself!

And let me tell you this – your friends probably envy that part of your body already – they will have noticed your lovely curves or gazelle-like legs.

They will not notice any of your perceived imperfections (that FYI make you human!).

They won’t notice your wobbly bits – they’re too busy focusing on their own!