How do I get body confidence?

[BrewandBiscuit]

So quick back story. I’ve always been a slim and fit size 10 but perimenopause and poor diet have led to some weight gain. I’m now a 12 but have lots of obvious cellulite and a tummy overhang from pregnancy. Im
apple shaped so don’t even have womanly curves. I’m quite short so I feel really unconfident without clothes on.

However, my new partner of a year finds me so sexy and I just can’t see it!

we were at his yesterday in bed. He has mirrored wardrobes and I was naked and he was massaging my back. I could see myself and felt hideous but the look of delight on his face as he ran his hands over all the bits I don’t like, said I was over reacting. I asked him later and he told me I was petite, beautiful, had a peachy bum and he loved every inch of me and he found me really sexy. I know this is true because of how he acts when we get intimate.

so we are away this weekend and I really want to embrace my body and feel confident and sexy! Any suggestions? I do love my boobs if that helps any suggestions for lingerie that flatters an apple shape?

Seems I don’t! 😂

Longer term beyond this weekend: I found that taking up weight lifting helped me appreciate my body better. Not just the improved tone and posture aspect making it look objectively better (which it does, I look fab); but really learning to recognise how important our physical health is and appreciate what a strong, healthy body looks like and can achieve and taking pride in accomplishing things with it. You start to think in terms of your body as inherently you; whereas when you dislike the way you look you often view your body with a somewhat removed “this isn’t the real me” feeling. I think that applies whether your partner says he enjoys your body or not: it’s really important that we like ourselves and feel good without somebody else’s validation or their personal preference.

This weekend: knickers which are higher waisted with less coverage at the back, makes the best of hips and a round bum..

Exactly what comtess said. Find an activity that you enjoy and appreciate how good it feels to be in your body doing it.

Also look at yourself in the mirror as a whole. Don't focus in on any area or break yourself down into parts.

In addition, find the art work of Kat shaw on Facebook. She draws real women as goddesses. After seeing those pop up in my feed a couple of times per day, I can't possibly not appreciate that I look just like those beautiful women.

Agree with others. Start to use and appreciate your body as strong and capable.

Your partner sounds fab by the way!

Thank you ladies. I Really do try and appreciate my body. It’s done a lot of cool stuff in my younger day but it’s a bit falling apart now so harder to appreciate!
im going to go underwear shopping Friday and try and find something that makes me feel good for the short term