BEAUTY IN THE BIG APPLE
Get a healthy body image
By Mariel Chua
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:12:00 09/18/2008
Filed Under: Health and Beauty Products, Lifestyle & Leisure, People
NEW YORK—At a recent event celebrating the start of Fashion Week, I had the chance to watch Nicole Scherzinger perform with the rest of The Pussycat Dolls. At just a few meters away, I marveled at how each girl shimmied, sang and sashayed through each song—tight abs, long legs, toned arms and all. I wondered: How do they keep such fit physiques?
The obvious answer was grueling practice sessions as professional dancers and singers. When one performs at that level of celebrity, much more is expected. Plus, hectic gig schedules are already quite a workout.
But what about us mere mortals? That’s where a healthy body image comes in. Here, I’ve rounded up some tips on how to enjoy a self-assured mind-set (no body-bashing allowed!).
Enhance your assets. Pick a favorite feature and enjoy that part of your figure. Scherzinger wore skintight leather pants that flaunted her toned legs and tight derriere. At the height of Britney Spears’ career, she made famous ultra-low-rise jeans and killer abs. And then there’s Jennifer Aniston and her enviable low-carb arms, Gwyneth Paltrow and her post-baby gams.
The list goes on. Take your cue from celebs you admire, and pick up on their style, their lifestyle and fitness habits to enhance your own bearings.
Resolve the non-negotiables. When I was 14, I didn’t wear shorts for one whole year because I’d listened to people who said my legs were too scrawny. At 18, I ditched sleeveless blouses for longer than the no-shorts period because my arms were “too big.”
We all have our insecurities and body dilemmas, but more often than not, they’re all in our head (and we also tend to exaggerate, especially when faced with a mirror). But unless your puson (paunch) is getting in the way of your everyday existence, move along. Embracing your flaws (real or imagined) helps you find better things to fixate on.
Resist the urge to be mean. To yourself, that is (and while you’re at it, to other people as well). While it’s tempting to launch an “I’m so fat” tirade, don’t. Not only will you test the patience of your friends, but you’ll worsen your situation because whining won’t get you anywhere.
Instead, modify your mantra by incorporating better statements into your day-to-day dealings. If it’s that time of the month and you’re feeling bloated, tell it like it is: “I have water retention” vs “I’m so fat I need to lose five pounds.”
Maintain the exterior. Just like car fanatics who wax their cars to a perfect sheen and painstakingly clean every nook and cranny, it pays to pay attention to good grooming. Scrub your body weekly to shed off dead skin and reveal a radiant complexion. Apply lotion to keep things soft and smooth all over. Go for monthly professional hair-removal sessions and keep your tips and toes in tiptop shape.
These little beauty tidbits add up and contribute to your general well-being. And before you know it, you’re well on your way to 100-percent body confidence—from the runways to the real corridors of your life.
Mariel Chua is the former beauty editor of Cosmopolitan, Seventeen and Ok! Magazine. She is now based in New York City. Visit NyMinuteNow.com.
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