by Valerie Kelly

Created on: May 06, 2008   Last Updated: May 20, 2008

Summer invariably has the annoying habit of sneaking up on us with little or no warning, catching us out yet again as we look despairingly at our pale and usually overweight reflection in the bathroom mirror. Last years summer clothes all fit where they touch and no matter how we struggle with that zipper it's never going to combat the enormous rubber tyre that has mysteriously manifested itself over the winter months.

What I want to impress on every woman that reads this - is, that you are not alone. We have all experienced that gut wrenching feeling of self-loathing at sometime in our lives. Tremendous pressures are heaped upon the female of the species as she tries to juggle the many roles that society expects her to fulfill - wife - perfect mother - chauffeur - sex goddess, head cook and bottle washer to name just a few!

As a girl that has seen quite a few summers come and go I want to stress the importance of developing the right mind set to this age old problem. Please don't collapse in a heap of tears vowing to never venture outdoors again unless wearing a sack. Be positive, forget your bad points [ We've all got them! ] and focus on your assets. If you are overweight cut down on portion size, eating from a smaller plate is a good way to start. I find that omitting bread and potatoes for a couple of weeks works wonders and I can guarantee that most of you will lose two or three pounds at least.

Go swimming a couple of times a week, this is a great way of exercising and relaxing at the same time.
Why not join Race for Life, we've all lost someone to cancer, and its a fine way to get your life back on the right track. Vow to give a hand to someone worse off than yourself - always a great way to get life's priorities in the right order.

Drink lots of water to flush out the toxins and achieve that gorgeous summer glow, remember that it's always best to work from the inside out - lots of fruit and veg will add bonus points to your beauty regime.

At the end of the day with the right attitude and belief in yourself you can unfold like the beautiful butterfly you are. Look God's sun is shining once again and inviting you to play your very important role on the stage of life.

Go get em Girl!

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