RIYADH KHALAF
Rolling over in bed one Sunday morning, my boyfriend casually said: “I wish you were more toned.” It was one of many throwaway comments about my body that, even after our relationship was over, stuck and began to fester.
I was left with a body anxiety and shame for about three years. It wasn’t incapacitating, but I would often resort to dim lighting or darkness when undressing in front of a new partner, or wearing my boxer briefs high up my waist to cinch my tummy area. But over the past 18 months I’ve decided to reclaim my sexuality, my confidence and my body in all its imperfect glory. Here are seven practical tools I’ve used to boost my body confidence and start loving the skin I’m in.