This article originally appeared in the January/February 2016 issue of SELF.
But SELF’s new body-image surveywe’ve been conducting surveys on the topic since 1989reveals a more complicated reality.
Perhaps worse still, 85 percent of women believe they should feel more body-positive than they do.
James Ryang
Unfortunately, the stakes here are higher than not getting warm fuzzies when you look in the mirror.
Body image is a public health issueso why hasn’t all the positive messaging made more of a dent?
“you could’t just tell people to think or feel something and have it happen,” she says.
But it has also created an unprecedented space for us to view and comment on one another’s bodies.
Now, it’s not just celebrities and models who are on display; it’s almost everyone.
“That gives women a false perception.”
Experts say comparing yourself unfavorably to peers is especially insidious.
Meanwhile, you’re thinking, This is just a regular girl who looks like that?
I should be dieting and not eating bread seven times a week."
But these fit-stagram stars are not down on social mediafar from it.
Ho believes engaging requires a healthy dose of perspective.
“For me, social media is a job,” explains Younger.
She thinks of her posts more as a way to showcase her personality and build her audience.
Not, in other words, about her weight or appearance.
In some cases, these communities have sparked a phenomenon: women proudly sharing their own fitness achievements.
When social media encourages a healthy perspective, the ripple effect can be astonishing.
“I use it for ideas on workouts and recipes,” she says.
Piccolo now has more than 17,000 of her own Instagram followers at@jenthefitfoodie.
“I think I’ve only gotten one negative comment,” she says.
Their approach has paid off in a moment when we’re all getting better at sniffing out fakes.
Experts agree that community building can insulate us against some of social media’s more harmful aspects.
“We can create our own narratives about what’s beautiful,” she says.
It remains as important as ever, of course, to cultivate passion and competence offline.
“In my workouts, I want to rid myself of any negative emotion,” she says.
“I want to be free.
I am freebeing physical makes me that way.”
As Rutledge puts it, “There’s a lot more on Instagram than people drinking green juice.”
Ho, for her part, hopes this conversation will soon be less relevant.
“I think the whole body-image positivity movement is very strong right now,” she says.
Alyssa and Chelsea Miller, Models
From left: Bodysuit, $350; Araks.com.
Sports bra, A.L.C., $225; IntermixOnline.com.
Bodysuit, $260; BethRichards.com.
Sports bra, $44; Athleta.com.
Shoes, Bloch, $60; BlochWorld.com.
“I’m happy to be a part of the shift in this industry.”
Throughout their lives, both women have fought to develop and maintain a positive body image.
Chelsea, for example, started feeling insecure about her body at age 8.
I became happier, more comfortable and more confident."
Alyssa Miller, 26, learned in her teens the importance of staying positive.
“They wanted me to be a size 0.
I would’ve needed to lose 20 pounds.”
Rather than succumb to industry pressure, she stood her ground.
“I refused to develop unhealthy habits.
I was like, ‘This is who I am.'”
Knowing her sister was watching her career only bolstered Alyssa’s courage.
“The best part is, it hasn’t hurt my career at all.”
Briefs, LNDR, $80; LNDR-LDN.com.
Sneakers, Adidas by Stella McCartney, $190; Adidas.com.
Swimsuit, Lisa Marie Fernandez, $370; Shopbop.com.
“I love all of my curves.”
But as a classically trained dancer, she didn’t always feel that way.
The pressure to be perfect led her down an unhealthy path at 17.
“I weighed 95 pounds and was obsessed with what I ate,” she says.
Two years later, when she began touring with Broadway’sWicked, she gained more than 60 pounds.
“I wasn’t feeling happy,” Winhoffer says.
Only when she stopped touringand started dancing for herselfdid she find balance in body and mind.
“How you think about yourself is how others will see you,” says Winhoffer.
“I see myself as strong and confident.”
“Erin Bried
Bodysuit, $488; JillStuart.com.
Sports bra, Use Unused, $210; 773-772-5000.
Earrings, Vale Jewelry, $750; ShopVale.com.
Ring, $145; XR-Jewelry.com.
“I feel stronger than I ever have.”
Instead, I’ll say, ‘I’m strong, fit and capable.’
My body can carry me on a 14-mile run.
