Love your body

Are you frequently self-conscious about your appearance? Does dissatisfaction with certain body parts dominate your thoughts? It's a sobering fact that 95 percent of women think they look 25 person of women think they look 25 percent bigger than they actually are.

According to Dr Rita Freedman, in her book Body Love, if you "Try to look at your reflection through the eyes of an adoring companion or nurturing parent, you will be more likely to a appreciate your body as it is. It's not beauty but self-esteem which builds, body-love, so you need to set modest goals about your appearance.

"Exercise body love. Get rid of all the clothes you've been holding on to just in case you ever manage to lose those 10 kilos. Weigh yourself once a week so your body image stops going up or down daily according to minor shifts on the scales. Engage in a realistic exercise programme at least three times a week and target those body parts you're most dissatisfied with. When you're feeling really down on your looks, do your make-up, fix your hair and put on an outfit at makes you feel drop-dead gorgeous.

Examine the women around you, in the supermarket or at the office. Notice how they don't look like supermodels? Find something attractive in each woman's appearance, whether it be a nice pair of eyes, gorgeous hair or lovely legs. Then take time to look int he mirror to remind yourself of your own beauty spots.