A fitness blogger and coach is making waves by encouraging self-love through some refreshingly honest photos. “If I’m going to show you my perfectly posed, Instagram-ready self, you better believe I’m going to let you see the less glamorous moments too,” wrote Jess Harper, known online as Fit Foodie Gal.
“Society has brainwashed us into thinking our value hinges on how many belly rolls we have, or how many dimples decorate our behinds,” she continued. The 31-year-old self-proclaimed “fitness fanatic who loves to chow down” posted a side-by-side comparison of two photos that perfectly illustrate how the same body can appear vastly different based on the angle. The first shot features Jess standing tall, hands behind her head, posing like a pro. The second captures her sitting, showcasing a more relatable, less toned midsection. And that’s exactly the point!
Jess hopes her candid approach will motivate others to ditch the pursuit of perfection. “Loving ourselves just as we are is tough,” she admitted in her now-viral post, which has been shared over 16,000 times. “We’ve been conditioned to believe we’re not good enough until we fit into some arbitrary mold of perfection,” she added. “Our bodies aren’t broken—the real issue is the unrealistic image society tries to shove down our throats by airbrushing away dimples, rolls, and all that good stuff.”
And she’s onto something. There’s a growing demand among American women for more authentic representations in advertisements and media. Earlier this year, women shared their clothing sizes online to challenge the fashion industry’s narrow view of beauty. Even multi-Grammy winner Alicia Keys has stripped away her makeup to shed light on the pressure women face to conform to a specific look.
Though the call for self-acceptance is loud, Jess acknowledges that embracing our bodies isn’t always easy. “I’m not immune to the struggle of accepting my body, but I recognize that learning to love myself is the most crucial job I’ll ever have,” she explained. “So, while it’s a challenge, let’s remember that we are worthy, beautiful, unique, and ALIVE. Go on and love yourself today, because THAT’s what’s truly inspiring.” It really is! If we keep pushing for more authentic images in media, we might just reach a point where seeing average-sized women (size 16 in America, by the way!) in magazines and on TV becomes the norm.
Jess also pointed out, “The real magic happens when we fully embrace who we are, at every angle and size.”
This article was initially published on November 14, 2016.
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Summary
Jess Harper, aka Fit Foodie Gal, is challenging societal beauty standards by sharing unfiltered photos of herself. Her mission is to promote self-love and acceptance, reminding us all that our worth isn’t defined by our appearance. As the demand for authentic representation in media grows, Jess encourages everyone to embrace their true selves, flaws and all.