Some women look always great no matter the size they are, they are ( almost always) happy, rarely get sick and are always fizzing with energy, they don’t gain weight or lose memory or they look . So what’s their secret?

“Mens sano in corpore sano”- (a healthy mind in a healthy body) is a famous Latin quotation, often translated as “A sound mind in a sound body.

Meaning in “fashion slang” when you feel good from the inside you look as well good from the outside! Knowing what looks good on you and what works for your body shape will give you piece of mind, confidence and make you feel good all around about yourself. Looking good from the outside will never make you feel good from the inside since insecurities over your look and state of mind don’t translate in this directions. This is a fact no matter which label you wear.

Every year it seems that the same Top Ten New Year resolutions crop up. Why? Because they are just so hard to keep! So, this year let’s try to make them count!

1. Accept what you can’t change

There is no point of dwelling I wish I would be taller, younger etc and loosing all the energy on the wrong factors. Accept who you are and what you are the quicker you become your friend and you can start to like you by finding things and features you love about yourself. If you don’t like your weight- this is in most cases- something you can change- then do ” walk the talk rather talk the walk”. Otherwise make the best out of your size since there are so many retailers out there who provide fashion options no matter the size you are.

2. Stop to shop until you drop

Buy clothes that only work for you, your life style and budget. Meaning stop buying clothes you never wear because they are the wrong size, you don’t have an occasion for them to wear or because they are too expensive for the salary you make. Fashion is only fun when you start to build a workable wardrobe that consists of having clothes that work for your bodyshape, colouring, proportion, the life style you are leading and that you can afford!

3. Be true too yourself

Also, buy only clothes that fit you in the moment- never get trapped of buying clothes in a smaller size because you have plans to shed pounds or because you are dieting. That concept never works because firstly you tend too loose always weight in a different way and places, secondly  don’t reward yourself before you have achieved your endgoal. – the risk of slipping is too great and last not least once you bought the item in question most women loose their will power. So, better reward yourself for small achievement instead if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on clothes while you dieting.

4. Don’t get yourself in too much debt

Fashion is just not worth it! They are just things, which are not as long lasting as it takes to pay back your credit card. We all know this feeling ” I am dying to have that dress”, ” I just needed to have this bag” or ” Every penny spent on those shoes are worth it”…unfortunately all not true. It is not that once you satisfied yourself with that purchase you stop shopping for more. No, there will be another item that you need because it will look great with what you bought before….and that is how it goes one. Break out of the devil circle by building a workable wardrobe where you only buy what you need to update or replace. You will see you have much more of your clothes because you start to work them by wearing them rather building up clutter of clothes that don’t work with each other or won’t work for most occasions.

5. Declutter your wardrobe!

Everyone is different in their needs, but keep in mind that changes in your lifestyle will affect your working wardrobe. So, before you start of thinking of planning your wardrobe, assess your lifestyle and what you need to wear. Start with a wardrobe audit and go through your clothes piece by piece, assessing whether they are the right colour and if they are right for your body shape, proportion and scale.Clothes that you don’t wear and which only have sentimental value should be put away out of your workable wardrobe. So, make room for clothes that complement you and the way you live. It is so therapeutic as well to get rid of “the old you” and make way for the ” new you”.

6.  Moderation is key for a balanced you!

Unfortunately most of us lead their lives in extremes at work or in our private lives or in the way we eat and drink. Either we work or party full on or we indulge ourselves without measures in food or/and drinks or we diet in excess. Therefore it shouldn’t come to us a surprise that such a life style doesn’t leave us damaged. Our body needs time to recover from work or play. So, build in some time to give your body and mind some time to recover and to reenergise. The same goes for eating and drinking. When you had a heavy night out skip a day or two with drinking or when having had a big dinner the night before eat healthy and in moderation the next day. You will feel better and look better rather worst to wear – no label in the world can and will change that.

7. Sleep, keep fit and eat well

Sleep will keep you balanced and calm, give you piece of mind, energise you and will help you to stay focus for the day. Plus it does wonder to your skin and digestion. Try to keep fit and to increase your activity by incorporating exercises into your daily routine e.g. using the stairs instead the lift, walking the kids to school, take the bicycle to work instead the car or get off 1 or 2 tube stop before your final destination. Why not keeping the same standard of high quality and labels in clothes as well in food? I never understood how some have high standards in clothes labels but none in food and opt for junk food or settle for bad quality in food. Eating bad food will show! There is no way of hiding no matter how much money you spend to try to hide it. So, do a U- turn and be good to your innerself by eating well, keeping fit and sleeping enough hours to feel energised, healthy and look your best.

8. Take some time out – take some ” me time”!

We all leading a busy life style, where it is many time difficult to carve out some time to yourself. But it is important to find time to yourself and for yourself! Get some “me time”, which means to every woman something different. It will make you feel calmer, balanced and happier when interacting with family, friends and the outside world.

9.  Create your signature style and look- stop comparing yourself!

“Fashion is general. Style is individual.”

Edna Woolman Chase

Dressing with style takes strategy – you just can’t wear what you like. By using your clothing’s colour, details, fabric and fit, details, pattern, and proportion to lengthen, slim and direct attention to exactly where you want it (and away from the places you don’t), you will be able to create a look that is flattering and fits with your own style personality.

Play up to your strengths!

Since people do tend to form initial opinions from appearance, give them a taste of the real you. Make it to your business to use your clothes to showcase what’s most beautiful about you and add the personal touches that make a look your own, where you feel most comfortable with it.

Before buying new clothes or/and hitting the sales declutter your wardrobe from clothes you never wear. I know clothes can have an emotional attachment, but clothes that don’t fit your shape or your life style are just simply clutter, because they don’t do anything for you besides filling up useful and important wardrobe space. So, make room for clothes that complement you and the way you live. It is so therapeutic as well to get rid of “the old you” and make way for the “new you”.

10. Balance your blood sugar

When your blood is sugar is low, you feel tiered and hungry. If you refuel with fast- energy-releasing high -GL( glycaemic load) carbohydrates, you cause your blood sugar rise rapidly. Your body doesn’t need so much sugar, so it dumps the excess into storage as fat. Your blood sugar level lowers again, and you crave something sweet, or a pick me up such as a caffeinated drink ( and so the devil circle begins!) This is how you enter the vicious circle of yo-yoing blood sugar that leads to weight gain.

To balance your blood sugar, eat fewer fast -release foods (sweets, cakes, and biscuits) and more slow-release foods ( fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrain carbohydrates) You also need to graze rather than gorge. Eat breakfast, lunch and supper – and introduce mid- morning and mi-afternoon snacks. This provides your body with an even supply of fuel. ( Adopted from The 10 secrets of 100% Healthy People by Patrick Holford, visit www.patrickholford.com )

All these 10 commandments are not rocket science but bullet proof for a better quality of life, which will be noticeable to you and everyone who knows you. They will help you to feel better about yourself and to become the best you can be.

• Last not least some “food for thought”

Drink lots of water!

Though water is free and everywhere available most of us don’t drink enough. You should drink at least 1 Liter a day. Not drinking enough makes you tiered and dries out your skin and joints. Plus it gives you headaches, reduces mental abilities and is a major cause for constipation. Some advice how to increase your water intake

• Have a glass of water when you get up
• Have a glass of water when drinking coffee or tea.
• Have a glass of water with each meal.
• Carry a bottle of water when leaving the house
• Always drink water when you have an alcoholic drink

Take some time out – take some ” me time”!

Have a nice day,

Michaela