Latest news with #confidence
UAE Moments
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- UAE Moments
Daily Affirmation for June 20, 2025 to Kickstart Your Vibe
✨ Today's Affirmation: 'I am allowed to take up space — exactly as I am.' 💫 Vibe Check: Ever feel like you're shrinking yourself to keep others comfortable? Not today. Today's energy is giving main character, not sidekick. You don't need to apologize for existing, having opinions, or being a little louder than usual. This is your reminder that you belong — in every room, in every conversation, in your full, glorious form. Claim it. 🧘♀️ Why This Works: From a young age, so many of us are taught to tone it down — be quieter, be smaller, be "less." But confidence doesn't come from fitting in. It comes from owning who you are, even when it feels risky. This affirmation helps dismantle internalized shame and gives you permission to expand. No shrinking required. 🌿 Your Mini Mission: Today, take up literal space. Sit with good posture. Speak up once in that meeting or group chat. Wear something that makes you feel seen. Then, journal this: 'Where in my life am I dimming myself — and how can I flip that switch?' 🎧 Loud & Unapologetic Playlist: For the days you're done playing small: 'Confident' – Demi Lovato 'Run the World (Girls)' – Beyoncé 'I Am Enough' – Daphne Willis 🔮 Bonus Energy Tip: Look at yourself in the mirror and say: 'I am not too much — I am exactly enough.' Repeat until it feels real. Because you are. Always have been.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
They lost weight on GLP-1s. Now they're shopping for swimsuits.
Capri Taylor was perusing her local Ross Dress for Less, flicking through the racks in search of some clothes. As she made her way down the aisle, Taylor stumbled upon the swimsuit section. For most of her adult life, she would've skipped past the swimsuits or dreaded trying them on. But this time, she spotted a particularly cute two-piece. 'I decided to just go for it,' Taylor tells Yahoo Life. 'I was so excited that the first thing I did when I got home was to try it on, and I snapped a picture to send to my best friend, like, look!' says Taylor. Up until then, Taylor, 31, didn't consider a two-piece swimsuit an option. Before starting a GLP-1 weight loss medication last year, she weighed 198 pounds, was prediabetic and just wasn't comfortable in her own skin. 'I've always been self-conscious and envious of girlies who can carry the weight and feel confident in whatever they wear,' she says. 'I just never got to that point' before losing weight. Now, having lost more than 60 pounds, Taylor is discovering a new side of herself: a version that loves a brightly colored, geometric-patterned two-piece. 'Being a mom, I always felt like I had to put myself in a box when it came to swimsuit shopping,' she says. 'Losing the weight has made me feel so much more confident stepping out to find something that I feel good in.' Taylor still loves a good one-piece suit, but she's enjoying a sexier, slightly more bare look. Bikinis can be a fraught purchase for many women, but especially so for those like Taylor — who hadn't worn one in years — whose bodies have gone through dramatic changes. Still, daring to bare more isn't simply a result of 'being skinny,' she says. 'It's about the first time I've felt confident in my body.' What is swimsuit shopping like on a GLP-1? Here's what women taking the medication say about their recent forays into triangle tops, tankinis, cheetah prints and more. Haley Sipes, 31, hadn't worn a two-piece swimsuit since high school. But after losing 100 pounds with the help of a GLP-1, the mom wanted to branch out. So, she set up her phone to film a 'haul' of several two-piece suits she'd recently bought to try on her new figure. In the video, she gives a detailed, upbeat review of each suit, from most to least modest. Behind the scenes, 'I wanted to throw up,' Sipes tells Yahoo Life. She had her husband in the room for moral support. 'Between each swimsuit, I was like, 'Tell me I look OK, tell me I'm not crazy,'' she says. When Sipes posted the video ('I figured, if I show this to 70,000 [followers], it'll be way easier to wear it out in public, because that's more people than are in my whole town,' she says.), she was amazed and surprised by the outpouring of positive comments. Sipes recognizes now that how she sees herself isn't always the way that others see her. 'I really do deal with some body dysmorphia,' she says. 'It's like my brain can't catch up with my body.' It's a common refrain among people who have taken GLP-1 medications. While body dysmorphia is often discussed in the context of disordered eating, it's also a common part of any drastic body change. Some people who have lost weight may feel a kind of discomfort in their new shape, or still see a former version of themselves in the mirror. And, even when Sipes sees how far she's come on her journey toward better health, she can still spot areas that make her feel self-conscious. 'There are definitely some hard transitions involved in weight loss, when you have this new body that you're trying to dress,' she says. 'I do have quite a bit of loose skin in my stomach area, but I think that everybody has their insecurities.' Perhaps, Sipes adds, 'that's just from growing up seeing tiny, unrealistic models with flat stomachs and thinking that anything that isn't that doesn't fit the definition of beauty.' And she's learned that she's not alone in her battle for self-love. Sipes recently had plans to go to the pool with a friend who she's always seen as 'the epitome of what I'd like to look like,' she says. When Sipes hinted at her nervousness to be next to the friend, 'she stopped me and was like, 'I'm insecure in a bathing suit too,'' says Sipes. 'It really helped more than I ever would've expected. We healed together, and we're both going to wear these bathing suits.' Her own body, Sipes has realized, is like that of many women in their 30s who have had kids. She wants to celebrate it rather than hide it, and shared her swimsuit haul online in part because she hasn't seen enough bodies like her own online. She also went on a mission to find a swimsuit with some 'tummy control' that would be flattering without making her feel like she was wearing Spanx. And she did! The winners? An Old Navy swim dress (a more modest option, for when she's on mom duty and needs to be able to run after a toddler) and a vibrant color-blocked two-piece from Pink Lily, plus a swim skirt she found on Amazon, which she ties over her two-pieces to help her ease into a more revealing look. She still hears that nagging little voice questioning whether the suit looks OK here or there, 'but this time it was a lot better because I worked really hard for the body I'm in,' she says. 'Being able to see my body as progress instead of a project was really healing.' This summer, 29-year-old Mercedes Groves is stepping out in triangle bikinis and cheetah-print two-pieces. 'I really just wanted to be brave,' she tells Yahoo Life of wearing swimsuits that she once might have been too self-conscious to try. 'This is the first time in my life that I've felt comfortable enough to be brave. So I really wanted to take this step.' Now that she's lost 80 pounds with the help of semaglutide, Groves is no longer limiting her style choices based on what will hide the parts of her body that made her feel self-conscious. 'To be able to fit my body and dress it how I always wanted it to look has been a whole experience in and of itself,' she says. On social media, she gives the occasional smoldering look when modeling her new outfits. But in conversation, Groves has an infectious giggle, and her sunny disposition shines through. 'I was always the fat funny friend,' she says with a laugh. 'It's a real thing, I was always friends with everybody, but it's not like you were desired.' Groves makes sure her young son understands that the change in her body is about getting healthy, not about how she looks. But she's acutely aware of how others look at her. Groves says it's exciting to lose weight and feel more desired, but 'it's a double-edged sword.' Like Sipes and Taylor, Groves has many changes to get used to, from her clothing size fluctuations to loose or sagging skin in some places. And while the attention can be nice, 'it's been kind of wild to be in a different body but with the same people around you and have them be different toward you,' she says. 'You can tell when someone gives you the up-and-down [look].' She adds that 'it kind of messes with your head a little bit' when others suddenly act kinder than they did before. You just get treated differently when you're healthy and — [I] don't wanna say 'thin,' but it's true. I've felt both sides of that.' Groves, who owns a nail salon, copes with that double-edged sword by focusing less on the appearance of the person she sees in the mirror and more on what she represents. When she's feeling insecure or worried about how some part of her body might look in a swimsuit, 'I think about how hard I worked, and remind myself: It's hot mom summer,' she says. 'All these moms out here in these bikinis, and we don't give a rip!' Want to share your weight loss medication story for our 'On My Weigh' series?Email heylifeeditors@
The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Curvy fashion fan praises dress which makes her ‘so confident' – it's perfect for top heavy girls & no is bra needed
IT can be hard to find a summer dress if you're somewhat top heavy. Bra straps can prove unsightly under anything too strappy, and it can seem impossible to find something supportive enough to go bra-free. 3 3 TikTok user and curvy fashion fan Jess (@jessdoinglifee) shared the summer dress she found that left her feeling more confident than ever. "I have never felt as confident in my whole life than what I do right now in this dress," she said as she modelled the look for her followers. "The most confident I've felt in a dress in years." The scoop neck midi dress is from the fashion brand Mooslover, which features a variety of styles with shape wear built in. Normally between a size 16 and 18, the five-foot-one influencer picked up the look in a 2XL. Jess explained that the sleek look even had built-in shape wear, allowing her to go without underwear and avoid unsightly lines. She added that the shapewear even had a slit, making it easy to use the loo. But perhaps the most enticing feature for curvier woman is the chest support. "I am quite a top-heavy girl and it's got like a built-in bra," Jess told her audience. The TikToker turned to the side to show her viewers the support the dress provided her. She went on to describe how amazing she felt in the look, adding that she wanted to get every colour on offer. "It just makes me feel that good and that confident," Jess reiterated to her followers. She praised the fashion brand for knocking it out of the park with the shape wear and chest support. "Mooslover have really pulled it out of the bag with this, wow is all I can say, I'd recommend everybody to give this a go, amazing," Jess said. The brand are known for their innovative shapewear, which often includes removeable bra pads, an open gusset, and extra room for the butt. Hottest fashion trends of 2025 Fabulous' Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend shares the biggest trends from the high street. The East/West Bag Baguette bags have had a good run, after returning from the 1990s' shoulders of Sarah Jessica Parker to modern-day fashion icons, like Hailey Bieber. In 2025, the East/West bag is a similar but elongated shape and has long, thin straps that are easy to throw over your shoulder. They've been on runway models' arms at nearly ever designer show - think Burberry, Givenchy and Bottega Veneta - and are hitting the high street now, too. Powder pink Bright fuchsia pink had its day after the release of Barbie in 2023 and now the more polished and expensive-looking pale shade is taking over for 2025. Pantone may say that it's the year of Mocha Mousse, but the catwalks say otherwise! From Prada to Erdem, the subtle look was all over the spring/summer catwalks, worn head-to-toe or on its own. If the sugary shade is too girly for you, then look to sharp suiting for a androgynous take on the colour. The shell jacket The '80s classic is back, but with a sleek and minimal new twist for 2025. We all know we're likely to see rain for most of spring, so your practical coat of choice should be a cagoule jacket. Depop revealed one of its big trend predictions for this year is retro sportswear, with surges already seen in '80s windbreakers'. Seen everywhere from the stylish streets of Copenhagen to the Miu Miu catwalk, now mums who have an emergency raincoat crumpled underneath their pushchair are very much in fashion! The turn-up jeans While the shape of jeans remains the same for this year and barrel-legs will still be everywhere, the way we're styling them is different. This season, transform your wide-leg, baggy denims into turn-ups. For this look, size doesn't matter, so while deep turn-ups are a hit from jean trend-leaders Citizens of Humanity, a slight fold is still just as good - but only as it's just one single fold. Peep-toe shoe Get your pedicures booked in sharpish, as this season your toes are the main event. After a long hiatus, the peep-toe has been welcomed back into the fashion fold, with brands like Hermes, Miu Miu and Tory Burch showing plain and embellished footwear in this style. From mules to pumps and clogs (yes, clogs will be around too!), there are lots of different styles that are set to sweep the high street. Sheer blouses See-through looks have always lived on the catwalk, but have rarely filtered into everyday life - until now. Designers Ralph Lauren and Tom Ford loved sheer looks on their S/S '25 catwalks and M&S even had sellout success with its black sheer pencil skirt last season. Expect to see more sheer looks lining supermarket aisles and high street shops in the form of skirts, tops and frocks. Jess' followers shared their thoughts on the stylish look in the comments section. "You look amazing in that dress, get them all," wrote one impressed viewer. "You look absolutely incredible, Jess," agreed another TikTok user. "You're looking really good, you [would] want to be proud of yourself," commented a third person. "Wow Jess, you look phenomenal," wrote another one of Jess' followers. One viewer compared her to the cartoon character Jessica Rabbit, who famously wears a sleek skin-tight dress.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Swinging saved our love after my fiancé's terrifying heart complications left him anxious in the bedroom... so I cheered on as had sex with another woman on national television
A woman who watched her fiancé have sex with another woman on national television - and cheered him on - has revealed how swinging has restored his confidence after health issues left him grappling with low self-esteem. Tom and Lauren from Devon have appeared on the latest series of the racy Channel 4 show - which sees couples try and experiment with their relationship; a viewing which saw the husband-to-be vomit after being told he had to let his partner sleep with another man. But the pair have now shared how the steamy encounters with strangers have helped them overcome feelings of low self worth after life-threatening heart issues. Speaking to Take A Break, Lauren, 32, revealed that while she's known Tom since she was 17, they didn't start dating until last year. And while she 'fancies the pants off' her partner, Lauren - who is bisexual - admitted that 'closing herself off to one gender left her feeling like something was missing'. Nervously, she broached the subject of opening up their relationship - he 'didn't freak out' and they 'talked it through'. 'The last thing I wanted to do was hurt him or make him feel like he wasn't enough for me,' Lauren explained. 'In fact, I was suggesting this because I cared about our relationship so much and thought it would make us even stronger.' Satisfied, they agreed to 'search for like minded lovers to have some fun with', which included starting up a relationship with an older couple who they began swinging with. Lauren said this brought her and Tom 'even closer together' - but things soon turned after a health scare left the pair terrified. Tom began to feel 'really unwell' during a day out at the beach, and his pulse was 'racing'. Lauren frantically got him to hospital, by which point he was 'slipping in and out of consciousness'. Doctors deduced that he was suffering from a bacterial infection - but further tests showed that Tom struggled with underlying issues which put him at risk of sudden cardiac arrest. He was eventually diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valve - a defect which means the heart has 'two cusps (flaps) instead of the usual three'. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this can lead to serious complications - but is manageable with treatment. The following year saw him grappling with 'dangerous episodes which left him back in the hospital and needing more tests'. Amid the chaos, during which Lauren said she felt 'everything was unravelling', she and Tom 'vowed to cherish each day together' as he may need open heart surgery in the future. The couple got engaged - but for Tom, feelings of newlywed bliss were marred by insecurities. 'He'd always loved going to the gym but after being told not to exercise, he piled on weight and his confidence plummeted,' Lauren revealed. This meant he was 'struggling in the bedroom' - despite reassurances from his fiancée that she loves him 'no matter what size'. And while opening their relationship up had in past benefitted the couple, this time it was making him 'more anxious'. Lauren came across the programme Open House while scrolling on Facebook - and after a discussion they decided to apply. 'There must be other men out there with similar issues to me,' Tom told her. 'I'd like to do it for them as well as us.' Lauren said she assured him that 'if it's too much they can leave' - as 'his happiness comes first'. But on the show, her heart 'broke' as Tom opened up about himself, expressing that he couldn't bare to take his top off or look in the mirror due to self-hatred. During the episode, Lauren described how an initial 'sensual' experience saw four women join the couple in a private room. 'I could tell he was anxious about not getting aroused, but he persevered,' she said. 'And then, suddenly, it was happening - one of the women was having sex with my fiancé! I burst into applause. I couldn't stop myself... Finally, my Tom was back.' Lauren then joined in too - and felt 'exhilarated'. Later in the episode non monogamy expert Effy Blue said that she wanted the dynamics to 'change a bit' and the pair should both have experiences without each other. Effy told viewers: 'Today is about challenging Tom to be independent. I'm curious to see how that will affect the dynamics they have between them. 'Lauren needs to be a partner to Tom, not a caretaker.' As they returned to their room, Lauren told Tom: 'Don't be nervous. You absolutely got this.' She then told the camera: 'It was my idea. It was my idea from the start. Yes it's throwing me and Tom in the deep end... 'But to be able to have him to have the confidence that we can go off, have our fun, come back to each other at the end of the night and it's absolutely insane.' The voiceover however continued: 'But the thought of flying solo entirely naked isn't sitting well with Tom.' Tom could then be heard being sick in the toilet - as Lauren ran to him with some water. 'This is going to be horrible,' Tom confessed. Lauren replied: 'I just want to cuddle you.' Tom said: 'I feel absolutely petrified and sick.' While hugging him from behind, Lauren tells him: 'All that anyone can ask is that you just try, okay?' Eventually the episode saw the pair successfully have sex with different people - and later all toast their success in the nude. 'Seeing Tom, starkers, but totally relaxed, I couldn't believe how far he'd come,' Lauren concluded. He has been on a health kick and has since lost three stone. The couple have also gone on to enjoy more couple swaps.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Youth fashion show a hit for Muscowpetung First Nation
Body positivity and building confidence were the purpose of a youth fashion show hosted by Muscowpetung First Nation. (MickFavel/CTVNews) Body positivity and building confidence was the purpose of a youth fashion show hosted by Muscowpetung First Nation. Indigenous fashion and art designers took part, providing outfits as well as the makeup and hair needed for those participating. 'Looking at the kids in their gear right now, they are so confident. They are so proud,' said Melissa Tavita, the Chief of Muscowpetung First Nation. A stage was set up complete with lights, music and an emcee. The youth were then able to model outfits for their friends and family in attendance. 'For me, I'd rather take this over some New York or Paris show. We are not invisible anymore. We're here and rising to the occasion,' said Stephanie Gamble, the owner of C. Lysias Designs. Mia Buckles is model who took helped through the event. She said these types of events are a great way to build self esteem within youth. 'It is so important to have this community engagement in First Nations because it builds a lot of confidence,' Buckles said. The fashion show was one of the major events of Muscowpetung First Nation's Treaty Days Celebration. Leadership said getting youth in a positive mindset and to feel better about themselves was the goal of the fashion show. 'That's what we want to teach our kids is to be confident and proud. Give that encouragement where they need it, because a lot of our youth now adays need that encouragement,' said Tavita.
