Self Esteem - by Editor

What can you do to feel more self assured and confident Read on.

We often come across beautiful women who seem to have it all, but are incredibly insecure and self-conscious. Similarly, there are a number of women with average or below average looks that have high self-esteem. Looks definitely are not the key to having a high sense of self worth. What, then, can you do to feel more self assured and confident

Weight

If you are overweight and this really bothers you, do something about it. Your weight is not going to go by wishing it away. I get a number of mails from people telling me that they've tried everything, but simply cannot lose weight. Although this line rings true for some people, for the majority, it's a false cry. Have you done high intensity exercise for at least an hour, five days a week Have you stopped eating junk food, cakes, desserts Do you drink skimmed milk Do you take your daily cup of tea with no sugar, or with less sugar Some of us don't need to take such drastic steps, but some do, and until you've tried doing high intensity exercise very regularly, combined with a low-fat diet and no cheating, don't say you've tried everything.

Some people are born with a larger bone structure and look big no matter what they do. The realisation that they may never be as slim as the models in magazines may be upsetting for some women. If you have a large bone structure, don't keep wishing it away. Instead, be pro-active and take charge of your figure by selecting clothes that will look good on you, based on your body type. Remember, slim women too need to dress a certain way, generally to accentuate curves. Your aim shouldn't be to look like a fashion model, but it should be to make the most of your looks. Only then will you look fabulous.

Talking well

Make it a point to watch the news regularly and to read the newspapers, so you know what is going on in the world and are able to have an intelligent discussion on a number of topics. Although you need not have in-depth knowledge of everything going on, have enough information on a wide variety of subjects so you can have an opinion on topics. A good way to do this would be to read magazines regularly, as they are more opinion-based. Newspapers, on the other hand, are more information-based, but you should definitely make it a habit to read the paper everyday.

Walking straight

The way you walk speaks multitudes about your personality and self-esteem. Don't slouch, don't drag your feet, and don't look down. Practice walking straight at home. To combat slouching, cross your hands at the back grabbing on to your elbows, and walk this way at home.

Goal

Do you have a goal Having a goal gives you a sense of purpose, and lends direction. A woman who knows what she wants and where she is going is far more self-assured than someone who just drifts through life. If you are uncertain about your future plans, now is the time to sit and chart them out. Decide where you want to go from here, and figure out what you need to do to get there. Then, start working towards fulfilling your plans.