Women's Life Link Be Well, Be Happy, Be YOU!
With Kori Kovacs
Ladies, let’s talk about image. Yea, that’s right, the clothes you are wearing right this minute. Do they really speak to who you are? One of my favorite silly eCards read something like this… “Just curious… what part of that outfit made you look in the mirror and say, ‘YES. This is how I choose to represent myself today.’?” I feel like saying this every time I walk into a mall. I don’t, of course, in fear of being beat over the head with a bedazzled fanny pack.
I can’t tell you how many women I have spoken to… potential clients, friends, co-workers…. that always tell me “If I only lost 20 more pounds, THEN I would love to work on improving my wardrobe.” Every time I hear this, my heart sinks a little. There is a little voice inside of me that screams at that point…. Why not look fantastic now??? Why sentence yourself to sweatpants and over sized t-shirts because you’re not the size you’d like to be??
I will be the first to admit…. I’ve struggled with my weight my entire life. From the stresses of image in high school, to the “perfect dancer” image I was always compared to during my 10+ years in ballet…. to my near decade stint in the military…. it seems like I always put myself in a situation where the numbers on the scale determines my credibility as a person. But even at my heaviest (181 lbs on a 5’4” frame, yikes!)…. I always found a way to look and feel fabulous. Last time I checked, I don’t have to step on a scale to walk into a club…. Nobody is peeking at the tag in my jeans (although that would make for an entirely different post right there — tee hee!)…. so why fret about a stupid number?
Bottom line is… there is a way for you to look your best right this very minute. It might take a little education (hey, shopping doesn’t come with an instruction booklet…if it did, I’d be out of a job!), a little patience, and most of all….. confidence in yourself. So what if your calves are too skinny, or if your arms are too beefy, or if your waist is more convex then concave. You ARE beautiful in your own unique way. So toss those hoodies and yoga pants out the window (unless you are headed to yoga, of course) 
and let your own Sophista out!
Five Quick Tips to a Better Image Now:
1. Save the gym clothes for the gym!
2. Smile! It’s the best accessory to any outfit (better than diamonds IMO!)
3. Stop looking at numbers (as in your weight and your sizes). If you feel good about what you look like, then those digits mean diddly.
4. Going shopping? Try EVERYTHING on. Always. End of story.
5. Start doing a little research. Pick up a fashion magazine, look at Pinterest, and read my blog posts (of course!) If you see something you like, save it!
What about your image do you struggle with the most?
I whole heartedly agree but I had to learn this lesson the hard way. I used to hide under this mega huge sweater coat. My kids finally talked me out of it. Going to add to your tips with two of my own. The two best things that help me shop for flattering things is, firs, a hip friend of family member. Pick someone who is up to par with the current fashion and artistic and open minded enough to see past the initial reaction on the hanger. Second take a camera with you and a laptop. Have your friend take pics of you in the outfits from all angles. When done with trying everything on go through the pics on your laptop and pick the ones that represent the you that is inside begging to get out.
I’ve have thought the “I’ll just wait to buy clothes until I lose that 10 pounds” thing way too much. But I’ve discovered it really is about living in the moments of your life, even if it may be a little uncomfortable. Sure, who doesn’t want to look their best (be a size smaller), but the thing is if you bypass the Now you and only focus on the future or past You, happiness and joy will never truly come. Image consultants, like Kori, can take you to new heights in your confidence and image. It always pays to get a second opinion on your appearance, simply because we don’t see ourselves as others do. Thanks for this insight, Kori!