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"I thought losing weight would give me confidence. It didn't ! It just gave me new things to fret about. As cliche as it sounds, it is about learning to embrace who you are - and often the physical is just the tip of the iceberg. I am confident - not over confident, just confident in myself and with others. That hasn't always been the case. For me it just came with maturity and the realisation that I can't please everybody and I can't be attractive to everybody, so why try so hard to do or be so ? Just be yourself and like that person mentally, physically and emotionally. Some people have to manage the process, some people have an epiphany and others need professional help to get them along the way. Realising that an issue exists is the first big step, but you may well be surprised - the issue might not be as big you first thought once you strip it down (no pun intended). Allow yourself time and tell your FB to lay off - cos rowing about it and making you feel silly or guilty about it certainly won't help This might sound a daft analogy, but think about it - I can't swim, but I am not afraid of the water. I normally slink in the shallow end, but often the best thing is the danger of the deep end. Sometimes I just have to jump in - but only if there is someone already there to help me if I get out of my depth. Your FB could help you a great deal here - try working with him on it, but at your pace, not his x" You talk better sense than all the councillor's I saw in the past. What's the hourly charge I agree with all above. I have facial scars that are obvious to me and make me conscious but I've learnt to deal with it now. They tell a story as far as I'm concerned. | |||
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"Does anyone have any tips on how to 'get over' body confidence issues? After yet another row with my FB about my lack of confidence I guess I've finally realised how much of an issue it is for me and I'm now worried it may push him away which I really don't want as I do care for him and feel more comfortable in his company than I have with any guy for a long time (pathetic I know!). I know my issues come from my size and generally feeling unattractive and I am starting to do something constructive about it, but part of me wonders if my confidence will improve once I shift the weight as I don't ever really remember feeling confident in my appearance. We've been to clubs a few times, but have rarely played as I won't approach a couple I find attractive as I automatically assume they won't want to play with me, and I daren't start to play with a couple in an open room because I think it's unlikely I'll be their cup of tea. I understand that some, if not most of the time I won't be...but I think we could be missing opportunities where they would play with me because I've already made the decision for them. I'm getting frustrated with the whole thing now and just want to be able to relax and have fun without constantly questioning or doubting anyone who does claim to find me attractive...or assuming someone would find me hideous before I've even spoken to them. And it's not just swinging where this lack of confidence comes in, but it is where I've realised how bad it is. I'm not asking for people to fawn and I don't really want to do a whole 'look at me' thread, but I would appreciate any constructive ideas on things I can do to just feel more confident in myself and my appearance, as imperfect as it may be " Goldi, there are usually quite specific issues at the bottom of 'Body Image' problems and they can be VERY hard to get over on your own. If your funds allow, in all seriousness I would seek out a therapist, possibly hypnotherapist, and go and see him/her. Both Perky and I have used therapists, for completely different reasons, and - so long as you do your homework and get the right one for you - can be worth their weight in gold (no pun int - honest!) | |||
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"Thanks for the positive feedback, both to people replying here and privately...wasn't sure what kind of responses I'd wake up to! Everything said makes sense and has given me some food for thought. Something I perhaps should have been clearer about is it rows are out of his frustration because he doesn't understand why I feel like I do, not any kind of dig or anything like that...he just doesn't get it and I struggle to explain why I feel how I do. He has very much a 'if they don't like me, fuck em!' mentality which I sometimes envy, and he can't see why a strangers opinion matter so much to me. Guess I need to have a look at myself and my issues and try to find a way to be a bit happier in my own skin...and learn how to take a compliment when I do get them without wondering if there's some ulterior motive! " I know exactly where you're coming from, I have always had issues with my body image, to a degree, it doesn't matter how many compliments I get, I still don't see what they see, for me it's a saggy tummy, thunder thighs and a big bottom, but guys tell me they like it, doesn't stop me trying to cover them up when I meet tho. I usually have a dig at myself, in a joking kind of way (before anyone else does) it's my defense mechanism. Bussy...love seeing your responses, you talk so much sense, Thank you | |||
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"I am going to say something now and please read it as a question rather than a statement or a suggestion. You mention ur FB is 'frustrated' by your lack of confidence. Is that because he doesn't understand the concerns or is it a more selfish matter that your reticence to play prevents him from playing ? Or, if he does play alone, is his frustration borne out of guilt for leaving you whilst he plays ?" Oh btw - am not looking for a public response in that. It is your private matter. It was just something I meant to say earlier and something you may wish to consider. I know FB's are meant to be 'no strings' but, to me, you can be caring, considerate and helpful to playmates without the need for strings. | |||
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"I am going to say something now and please read it as a question rather than a statement or a suggestion. You mention ur FB is 'frustrated' by your lack of confidence. Is that because he doesn't understand the concerns or is it a more selfish matter that your reticence to play prevents him from playing ? Or, if he does play alone, is his frustration borne out of guilt for leaving you whilst he plays ?" It is mainly that he doesn't understand why I feel the way I do, but an element of it will be that it then does prevent him (or rather us) playing...which I can't blame him for as I get annoyed with myself too for preventing us, and him, having fun. He doesn't go off an leave me even though I've told him to before now because I felt I was holding him back but he didn't want to. I do understand what you are saying though and if it was just a case of him being annoyed because of the playing then I think we would have run our course by now in all honesty. And also want to say to temptingdevil, as well as making me chuckle your post about not respecting his opinion is a very good point, and I guess could explain why he does get annoyed with me too as it's like I don't trust what he's saying. Will have to ask his opinion on marmite! x | |||
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"I thought losing weight would give me confidence. It didn't ! It just gave me new things to fret about. As cliche as it sounds, it is about learning to embrace who you are - and often the physical is just the tip of the iceberg. I am confident - not over confident, just confident in myself and with others. That hasn't always been the case. For me it just came with maturity and the realisation that I can't please everybody and I can't be attractive to everybody, so why try so hard to do or be so ? Just be yourself and like that person mentally, physically and emotionally. Some people have to manage the process, some people have an epiphany and others need professional help to get them along the way. Realising that an issue exists is the first big step, but you may well be surprised - the issue might not be as big you first thought once you strip it down (no pun intended). Allow yourself time and tell your FB to lay off - cos rowing about it and making you feel silly or guilty about it certainly won't help This might sound a daft analogy, but think about it - I can't swim, but I am not afraid of the water. I normally slink in the shallow end, but often the best thing is the danger of the deep end. Sometimes I just have to jump in - but only if there is someone already there to help me if I get out of my depth. Your FB could help you a great deal here - try working with him on it, but at your pace, not his x" Bussy, you should start charging for your bits of advice - better value than some therapists! I would only like to add one thing : Talking to a therapist can help with lack of self esteem. Good therapists will allow you an initial free consultation during which you can decided whether he or she is for you. The success of supportive therapy is largely dependent on the therapeutic relationship rather than whether it is CBT, person-centred, psychodynamic or whatever else. I am not suggesting therapy alone but it may help as a support while looking at some of the suggestions made on this thread. What a lovely supportive thread it is as well! | |||
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"We all have issues, i have been yoyoing on diets for years and it dosn't help with the medication that i am on, Half of my nervousness is through not being confident about the way i look. Pork often gets annoyed with me when i throw at him "Just look at the state of me, i can't do this meet" I think you look great and you have quite a few verification's to prove it. Ralax and enjoy and keep those veri's coming in (Perky)" That's part of his case too...why am I fine with single guys but not as confident with couples or in clubs? Can't really rationalise it, although I guess I do worry that women can generally be a bit more bitchy and so I'm more concerned about how they'd say no rather than that they would say no. Your advice on professional help earlier was noted, and may be something to look into if the weightloss doesn't have the desired effect on my confidence. Must admit it has surprised me a little some of the posters with similar feelings about their appearance when that's not something I have picked up from comments in previous threads x | |||
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"Talking to a therapist can help with lack of self esteem. Good therapists will allow you an initial free consultation during which you can decided whether he or she is for you. The success of supportive therapy is largely dependent on the therapeutic relationship rather than whether it is CBT, person-centred, psychodynamic or whatever else." Therapy helped my daughter enormously. there's no shame in visiting one for a few sessions as sometimes you need a strangers distance to help you see what to do. My mother told me I was fat all my life (and still does. We reckon she suffers from anorexia nervosa by proxy - she thinks everyone else is fat!) but once I started dating I realised that no-one else thought so. It was her opinion of me that coloured my life, not anyone elses. Its so hard to change that, but surrounding yourself with people who are kind and supportive is the best way. | |||
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"get in the gym and smash it consistency is key if u have already been at ur best physically and still had the same issues i`d try a different approach. most of us (people) have some kinda hang ups improving urself physically and mentally wont always make them go away but will help " I pretty much agree.with this. My body after two babies left a lot to be desired and I hated it. I joined the gym almost 12 weeks ago. Yes, I've lost weight but my confidence has sky rocketed. Every time I lift a bigger weight or achieve something I couldn't do previously I feel on top of the world. Amazingly, being in my gym clothes makes me feel sexy and confident and strong. I've got a long way to go body wise but I'm so much happier! X | |||
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"i Mark used to have a lot of issues about me being short and overweight , tried for years to lose weight,sometimes good results but always put it back on and end up how ive been for about the last 5 years,but now ive took on out look of if people dont like me or find me attractive thats there problem,as weve met lots of people who do like me and love having fun with me,dont put yourself down,personally i think you look very sexy indeed,people have prefferences and if your not theres dont worry about it,you are sexy and there will be loads of people who will love to play with you " Spot on! xxx If you stuck us all in a room together we would all still be worrying about lumps , bumps, stretch marks, wobbly bits. I hated myself because in reality i've put nearly 5 stone on. I still dont like myself but i've learnt to be ok with it and have alot more confidence in my body since i've started playing. Try to relax and enjoy it xxxx | |||
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"get in the gym and smash it consistency is key if u have already been at ur best physically and still had the same issues i`d try a different approach. most of us (people) have some kinda hang ups improving urself physically and mentally wont always make them go away but will help I pretty much agree.with this. My body after two babies left a lot to be desired and I hated it. I joined the gym almost 12 weeks ago. Yes, I've lost weight but my confidence has sky rocketed. Every time I lift a bigger weight or achieve something I couldn't do previously I feel on top of the world. Amazingly, being in my gym clothes makes me feel sexy and confident and strong. I've got a long way to go body wise but I'm so much happier! X " I have joined a gym recently and am hoping this will help...it will take a while for me to see real results but I'm determined to stick to it | |||
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"Does anyone have any tips on how to 'get over' body confidence issues? After yet another row with my FB about my lack of confidence I guess I've finally realised how much of an issue it is for me and I'm now worried it may push him away which I really don't want as I do care for him and feel more comfortable in his company than I have with any guy for a long time (pathetic I know!). I know my issues come from my size and generally feeling unattractive and I am starting to do something constructive about it, but part of me wonders if my confidence will improve once I shift the weight as I don't ever really remember feeling confident in my appearance. We've been to clubs a few times, but have rarely played as I won't approach a couple I find attractive as I automatically assume they won't want to play with me, and I daren't start to play with a couple in an open room because I think it's unlikely I'll be their cup of tea. I understand that some, if not most of the time I won't be...but I think we could be missing opportunities where they would play with me because I've already made the decision for them. I'm getting frustrated with the whole thing now and just want to be able to relax and have fun without constantly questioning or doubting anyone who does claim to find me attractive...or assuming someone would find me hideous before I've even spoken to them. And it's not just swinging where this lack of confidence comes in, but it is where I've realised how bad it is. I'm not asking for people to fawn and I don't really want to do a whole 'look at me' thread, but I would appreciate any constructive ideas on things I can do to just feel more confident in myself and my appearance, as imperfect as it may be " Well strictly speaking i dont believe that we really own our bodys. You can test this by trying to get it to stop ageing or getting sick. The body tends to do what it wants whether you like it or not, so can we really say this is ours ? Our bodys seem to be something that we are only really borrowing for a short while. look after it feed it water it and of course LEARN to LOVE it. If you want any help please feel free to pm | |||
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" Well strictly speaking i dont believe that we really own our bodys. You can test this by trying to get it to stop ageing or getting sick. The body tends to do what it wants whether you like it or not, so can we really say this is ours ? Our bodys seem to be something that we are only really borrowing for a short while. look after it feed it water it and of course LEARN to LOVE it. If you want any help please feel free to pm " You have a really good point there - it means accepting what you have been given but also looking after it in the way you can. I like that approach, I really do. | |||
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"changing your body is not the answer, we are all different shapes and sizes and we all find different shapes and sizes attractive. Your fb is quite obviously attracted to you and cannot understand why you don't feel attractive, confident. Sexual attraction is not just about body, it is about personality, smell, demeanour and more. We all look at ourselves crtically (don't we ?) but take a moment and think how many people like you, how many smile when you walk into a room, how many people would like to play with you. Your fb knows what he likes and it seems to be you. " Beg to differ as I was a size 18 going on 20 and was not happy with my body. I cut out all junk food replaced it with fruit n took erg ex walking cycling n step. Across 2 years the compliments started coming in and my life did change. I am now a steady 14 ( 16) around the bum and content and confident with my body. We can take action for change - always. | |||
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"changing your body is not the answer, we are all different shapes and sizes and we all find different shapes and sizes attractive. Your fb is quite obviously attracted to you and cannot understand why you don't feel attractive, confident. Sexual attraction is not just about body, it is about personality, smell, demeanour and more. We all look at ourselves crtically (don't we ?) but take a moment and think how many people like you, how many smile when you walk into a room, how many people would like to play with you. Your fb knows what he likes and it seems to be you. Beg to differ as I was a size 18 going on 20 and was not happy with my body. I cut out all junk food replaced it with fruit n took erg ex walking cycling n step. Across 2 years the compliments started coming in and my life did change. I am now a steady 14 ( 16) around the bum and content and confident with my body. We can take action for change - always. " I agree with this, at my biggest I was a size 24 I joined slimming world and the gym and lost over 9 stone going to a size 10/12 and I felt great, where I went wrong is I did it to quick, I lost 7 dress sizes In 11 month and I couldn't keep it up as I wasn't eating right and going to the gym every day, I have gone back up to a size 14 and I feel huge, funny thing is when I got down to a size 14 I felt great after being a size 20+ all my life I felt thin now I've gone upto a size 14 from a 10 I feel massive, I've gone back to fat camp and I'm doing it right this time, I've dropped a dress size already, I was a 16 when I joined and hopefully doing it right will help me keep it off, I felt great when I lost all the weight and I want to feel like that again, only we can change what we don't like about ourselves, I have used every excuse under the sun to justify my weight from fat runs in my family to blaming any medication I took but it was only myself I was kidding and I realised it was time to change......for myself | |||
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"I'm feeling what your saying Goldilocks and I wish I had an answer for you as then I'd know the answer myself. I had pretty much zero body confidence after a very long emotionally abusive relationship and I still really struggle now!! I have a fb I see regularly who is funny, clever, young and very very gorgeous and even though I've been meeting him nearly a year I still occasionally think 'why the hell do you want me' but clearly he does and tells me constantly!! I've done the dieting, joined the gym and am currently 4 stone lighter than were I started but to be honest it really makes no difference as I know for me (and most women to be honest) it's about what's in my head and that I need to sort that out first but for now I've decided that my motto is "I may not be everyone's cup of tea but I'd rather be someone's shot of tequila anyday" " Completely understand where you are coming from... like the motto, not there yet, but maybe one day xxx | |||
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"I have a problem too, so much so I can hardly talk to a lady unless she approaches me, a lot of this was because I have eczema and creams I use keep my skin good and in control but has side effect of making some patches a bit dark in colour. I've missed many opportunities because of it, even turned people away because I believe I am not good enough and they can do better when they see me without clothes." I can understand why you are finding this difficult - I will say this and hope it helps : My former partner had (at times quite bad) eczema and once I knew what it was it did not bother me one little bit. The [problem is that eczema is also worsened by stress and if you worry about it it might aggravate it. Try not to worry and it might improve. Incidentally, I am not a fan of sun beds but they do help some people if used in moderation. Also homeopathic remedies can be quite successful. Best of luck ! | |||
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"Unfortunately not all issues about body confidence arise from simply being a larger size..... I admit I have never been a size 10/12.... At the age of 18 I was a 14 - 16.... I had hoips and boobs very early on. I never really thought about it being an issue, as i looked good, I had a curvy figure and I will say men seemed to look at me from time to time, in a lustful way. I have had the unfortunate misfortiune of having survived a physically and mentally abusive relationship, and even now 10 years on, if someone looks at me in a particular way, or says some thing in a particular way, it will immediate make me feel like shit and send what little self-confidence tumbling to the floor again. He was very abusive about my curves, and how i looked and if I dressed nicely I would get the third degree, which usually ended with me being covered in bruises... building that all back up is not easy and I find that my FB, whilst being amazing and always telling me he loves the way I dress and look, he cannot understand why these looks bother me or the way something might be said.... It is hard to explain why you feel the way you do about your body, but I know i will get there. It takes time and patience sometimes.... And yes men like us, seem to love all shapes and sizes and thankfully intellect. I know I feel a lot better about where I am now (still have some way to go, but people i meet along the way help me realise I am a good person, and that is just as important), and I would not want to go back to those dark days... but it is not simply about losing weight and wearing a certain dress side... I fear you have to look at the tiggers that send those feelings reeling. " Keep going hunny you'll get there xx | |||
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"It has all been said, and brilliantly. I was discussing this (the subject of confidence, not your post) with friends last night. We came to the conclusion that confidence comes from within. It might be affected by the external you but you have to make it yourself - daily. You lay down the building blocks for it when quite young. If the foundations are strong then you can repair damaged confidence. If they are not strong you have to start from scratch and build something you can trust to last you a lifetime. You have a fb you trust and enjoy. Finding that sort of relationship takes confidence. Try and remember what it felt like and use it again. I'm short and fat but I have a wonderful 5'10", curvy but not fat, inner me that sometimes sees me through when the 5'0" fat woman isn't feeling so great. Good luck." Great way of putting it, especially about the nurturing of whatever little confidence one may have inside. Also, I really like that great visual image of the 5ft 10 curvy woman inside. And in a way, while self belief cannot make you 5 ft 10... it can make you appear walking tall and being more confident in life. | |||
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" Well strictly speaking i dont believe that we really own our bodys. You can test this by trying to get it to stop ageing or getting sick. The body tends to do what it wants whether you like it or not, so can we really say this is ours ? Our bodys seem to be something that we are only really borrowing for a short while. look after it feed it water it and of course LEARN to LOVE it. If you want any help please feel free to pm You have a really good point there - it means accepting what you have been given but also looking after it in the way you can. I like that approach, I really do. " Thank you. I find accepting rather than rejecting the way things are a great help in all areas of life. | |||
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