Every body is beach ready (especially yours after 8 weeks on my programs ;)), but so many of us still struggle to maintain a positive attitude in a two-piece. Here are my top confidence-boosting tips that will make you feel confident and sexy - inside and out! 1. FORGET ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE! Feeling overly self-conscious at the beach was always something that I’ve been guilty of - it can really feel like everyone is looking and judging everything about you! That’s why you really have to have the mentality that you’ll probably never see half the people at the beach again, so why are you trying to impress them? This is your time to let loose, be yourself and have fun - Just do you, boo! 2. PRE-BEACH WORKOUT PREPARATION A pre-beach workout might be JUST what you need to feel good in a bikini! Hitting the gym before you head to the beach will make you feel energetic, strong and ready to take on anything. Exercise gives your mood a boost, both in the short and long-term. Just thirty minutes at a moderate intensity is enough to release the beta-endorphins that make you feel amazing and to also lower your levels of cortisol (the hormone associated with stress and anxiety)! Plus, you’ll get the added bonus of looking extra-toned in your swimwear for the next few hours! 3. FOODS THAT WILL DO YOU GOOD Choosing foods that prevent you from feeling sluggish or bloated can help you feel lighter, healthier and all round up for bikini-clad mischief! If you want your tummy to feel and look fabulous during your beach day, go for anti-bloat food options like leafy greens, potassium-rich fruit such as banana and melon, or pro-biotic yogurt! Fizzy drinks, processed food and beans are all common culprits of the bloat, so give those a miss to feel your best! 4. GET THOSE ZZZ’s IN Sleeping for at least six hours will help to speed up your metabolism, allowing your body to get back to operating at its peak processing your food efficiently. There is a reason why there is a character called ‘Sleeping Beauty’ - sleep is one of the best beautifiers, giving your skin time to heal and brightening your eyes! Sleep also allows you to keep your emotions regulated, lifting your mood. 5. PERFECT YOUR POSTURE You’d be so surprised to find out how much difference simply standing up tall can make; even the most toned gals don’t feel their best hunched over! Good posture instantly changes the way your body looks, making you appear more streamlined, graceful and most importantly, more confident! It’s the philosophy of ‘Fake it till you Make it’. Studies have actually shown that fake confidence leads to the real thing! Just stretch up tall, throw your shoulders back and stand with as much confidence as you can muster. Doing this is literally the quickest and most effective change you can make - don’t underestimate its value. 6. SCRUB IT TILL YOU MAKE IT Get your skin looking tip-top before you hit the beach! Exfoliation is an easy way to make yourself look fresh and glowy in a matter of minutes. Use a gentle scrub and remember to moisturize afterwards - it’ll get rid of any dry patches and leave your pores looking healthy and hydrated! 7. CHANGE COMES FROM WITHIN As cheesy as it sounds, this one is the most important, and probably the most effective! The bottom line is, you are ready for the beach this minute. Life is short, and we all have a finite number of trips to the beach in our allotted time. In the grand scheme of things, words are easy and the painful reality is that many of us will still find it unbearably stressful to strip down to a bikini in certain situations. Consciously make the decision to phase out any negativity from your conversation and attitude. Be kind to yourself! Don’t look back and regret spending the day worrying about what everyone else thinks about you - this life belongs to you and ONLY you!