Channel your inner POOH!

No this is not about your poo although I do have an obsession with the microbiome and all things to do with the gut.

This Pooh story came about because my husband saw this when he was at Frankfurt airport.

I love the sentiment of this and for all of us who it does resonate maybe 2020 is the year to embrace and be more Pooh-like and give a big fuck off to diets, body shaming, body checking, self-loathing, judging, starving, comparing, hating and wishing we were just better than we already are.

I can shamelessly say that a positive body image and body love has been a struggle for me and probably 75% of my friends. Happily, my daughter Sophie does not waste any time on this and she has always been body confident.

What the hell is that all about? And why do we hold onto such negative beliefs about our beautiful bodies that are miraculous in their design and function?

We hang on to beliefs and thoughts about ourselves that are sometimes based on careless remarks made by adults that imprint on our childhood brains and stick!

When I was a Brownie aged 9, I was told by Brown Owl that I had knees like a footballer and when I was 15 and babysitting for a 4-year-old she asked me why I had fat legs. Why do I remember some bored girls on the bus on the way home from school who said I had legs like sausages. What a load of tosh, but honestly I hated my legs until I was about 48 and ran my first half marathon. To think I spent 40 years wasting time berating my strong useful lovely legs.

Seven Lemons wants to help you be more like Sophie and Pooh - note down these seven great confidence boosters:

1. Be authentic and kind to you - Well what does that even mean? It just means that you have to understand where the hell all the negative stuff stems from and truly ask yourself if it’s fake news. Be honest because maybe you also perpetuate your body beliefs to all and sundry. Do you ever say things like ‘ oh I love that top but my legs are too fat or my arms are to skinny etc to wear that’. Stop the stories and the drama. Love yourself because there is no one else out there like you. Give up on outside info and the criticism. Brown Owl was a fake old bird.

2. Social media is great and also hateful - Be honest here. We all know how to strategically sit on a sun lounger so that we look better than the reality. If you have poor body image scrolling and trawling is crap. It’s mind-numbing and makes you dull too, so just stop comparing. Insta life is what we make it.

3. Brain Training - Ingrained beliefs planted by a 4-year-old in 1981 need to be put to bed and you can do this with retraining your brain with some lovely affirmations. Start with ‘I love my body’. When you say it out loud to a mirror be prepared for an emotional reaction. It might be the first time you’ve said ‘I love you’ to the most important person you know.

4. Love what you feed yourself and get moving - Give the body what it loves to help is function properly. Nutrient-dense food will make you feel happier and alive. Your gut, liver, heart and kidneys will be cheering you on. The sofa is for when you are poorly or an old dog, so get moving too.

5. No - saying this with no explanation is harder than eating just one Malteser. You do not have to be a people pleaser, you can put yourself first and show self-respect. This doesn’t mean you are being a selfish cow even if the slobs in your family are now having to pick up their own pants. And no, you don’t have look after other people’s kids, or dogs, drop them off at the airport, or collect their dry cleaning unless you are a PA and you are being paid.

6. Find your tribe - insecurity breeds a nasty virus so check out who you spend time with and makes you feel crap. Know who has got your back and enjoy their company, and just put on a pair of big pants when you with the bores.

7. Thank you - Bad manners are a no-no, so start saying thank you for everything you have. Being grateful and writing it down is so therapeutic. On days when the black dog is on your shoulders and you feeling weary looking at your gratitude lists will bring you joy.