Though it’s long been a platform that provokes feelings of inadequacy, comparison and negative self-talk, Instagram users have rapidly begun to take back their body positivity, one post at a time.
It’s no wonder there are so many women who struggle with their body image. Society effectively force-feeds us this destructive battle of self-criticism, and an inherent need to strive for impossible beauty standards.
In an effort to shatter everything we know about body image, author and speaker Robbie Tripp took to Instagram this week with a praise-worthy body-positive message for his “curvy” wife, Sarah.
Along with a sweet photo of he and his bride on the beach, Robbie started by saying, “I love this woman and her curvy body.”
Instagram
While it’s usually women who struggle more—if not more openly—with body image, Robbie admits that as a teenager, he was often made fun of for being attracted to “chubby” women.
“I was often teased by my friends for my attraction to girls on the thicker side, ones who were shorter and curvier, girls that the average (basic) bro might refer to as ‘chubby’ or even ‘fat.’”
Through growing up and becoming a man, however, Robbie quickly made the connection that body image issues go far beyond just negative self-talk and insecure females.
“Then, as I became a man and started to educate myself on issues such as feminism and how the media marginalizes women by portraying a very narrow and very specific standard of beauty (thin, tall, lean) I realized how many men have bought into that lie.”
Talking about his wife, who’s a fashion blogger, the 26-year-old says, “There is nothing sexier than this woman right here: thick thighs, big booty, cute little side roll, etc. Her shape and size won’t be the one featured on the cover of Cosmopolitan but it’s the one featured in my life and in my heart.”
Instagram
His viral post has attracted the attention of thousands who take heart in knowing that we all play a role in body positivity. And in some way or another, we can all relate to it.
He calls on men to do their part, and educate themselves on the reality of women:
“Guys, rethink what society has told you that you should desire. A real woman is not a porn star or a bikini mannequin or a movie character. She’s real. She has beautiful stretch marks on her hips and cute little dimples on her booty. “
And he encourages the ladies to rid themselves of the lies and find hope in knowing that they are enough:
“Girls, don’t ever fool yourself by thinking you have to fit a certain mold to be loved and appreciated. There is a guy out there who is going to celebrate you for exactly who you are, someone who will love you like I love my Sarah.”
Bravo to you Robbie Tripp. Sarah is one lucky girl to have a man who supports, encourages and admires her for exactly who she is. Thanks for giving everyone else a little more hope in a more body-positive future!
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