Become a Lean Strong Mom Strategy #6: Get HBO!

A haircut – a simple inexpensive way to update your look and build up your confidence.

A new bra – our bodies and our…. assets… are always changing. Your undergarments can make or break your overall look. A good bra can actually make you look younger and 10 pounds

One new outfit that fits – perhaps you have a whole closet of clothing that is your “pre-pregnancy” size. Perhaps you have drawers full of clothes in sizes that were purchased during an afternoon of wishful thinking. Or maybe you have clothes that are both too small and too big, or they just don’t fit in the places that they used to. Whatever the case, you need to clean out your closet! You may not have the heart to throw stuff out or donate it…. but for goodness sake, if you’re not wearing it, at least get it out of your sight and put it in a box. After a while so many clothes that don’t fit just add to physical and mental clutter. Treat yourself to one outfit that fits you well, no matter what the size on the tag says. Pick out something that you feel great in – bring a friend with you when you shop who will give you honest feedback about the clothes you try on. And, buy something that fits you now – not for when you lose 10 or more pounds. Remember, as my dad always said, “The most expensive thing in your closet is the thing you never wear.”

If I haven’t convinced you to find at least one outfit that is right for your body as it is today, take the advice of an expert fashion adviser Clinton Kelly. I’m a big fan of a show on TLC, What Not to Wear. In one episode of What Not to Wear, the woman that Clinton Kelly and Stacy London are helping provides the following excuse for her unflattering fashion choices, “I’m waiting to be the size I want to be before I really start to give myself a style.” Boy can I relate to that! But Clinton Kelly responds to this woman with a word of wisdom,

“When you dress your body to its best advantage you feel better about your body and when you feel better about your body you’re more likely to take the steps necessary to make it the best body it can possibly be.”

There you go! If you think you might need some help finding clothing that is flattering on your body shape, try MyShape.com. MyShape is free to use. MyShape evaluates the body measurements you enter into your profile and categorizes you as one of seven body types and offers tips and various outfit suggestions to help you shop accordingly.

You may come up with some other great ways to pamper yourself while you’re pursuing your weight loss goals. That’s great! The important thing is that you learn to treat yourself and your body better. As you gain confidence you will be much more likely to remain committed to your daily fitness and healthy eating routines. For moms especially, this can be a challenge. We are used to putting ourselves on the back burner. Doing this can led to resentment, martyrdom, and neglect of our own well-being. I believe, that, ultimately, we are better moms (and friends, spouses, employees, bosses, whatever!) when we have taken good care of ourselves and are pursuing a healthy, confident lifestyle.