Plus-Size Model and Mom Shares Inspiring Message on Post-Baby Body Issues

Lifestyle

 | December 30, 2016 | By YDD Contributor

Another inspiring woman took to Instagram to speak out against body shaming.

Tess Holliday, a plus-size model and mother, spoke out months after having a baby to share a positive message regarding her struggle with her post-baby body — a common problem for new mothers. Her Instagram post has gone viral, and it serves as another empowering reminder for women. “Each day feels like a battle to learn how to love my body,” writes Holliday, whom had baby Bowie six months ago and already has a 10-year-old son named Rylee. “I feel like a stranger in my body more than ever.” Holliday is known for promoting self-love and positive attitude on body image. And in today’s world — where society pressures men and women to look a certain way  — this is a refreshing message. “I was fat before, I carried a healthy baby, & guess what, still fat… & THATS OKAY,” writes Holliday. According to The Body Image Therapy Center, 30 million people will suffer from an eating disorder in their lifetime and about half the population of women use unhealthy behaviors to control their weight. Additionally, 70 percent of women between the ages of 18 and 30 don’t like their bodies. “It’s a journey, not a race.. & a beautiful one at that,” said Holliday, founder of EFF YOUR BEAUTY STANDARDS. “We have to be our own cheerleaders.” Check out Holliday’s inspiring message and beautiful post:

Each day feels like a battle to learn how to love my body postpartum. It’s been 6 months, & my stomach is lower, my breasts are a different shape, new stretch marks & I feel like a stranger in my body more than ever. I wasn’t anticipating this at all. I’m not used to looking in the mirror & feeling like I don’t recognize myself, but sadly that’s my reality some days. I debated on whether or not to post this, but I think it’s important to be honest about what it’s like to be a woman in the media, who recently had a baby & the pressure that’s put on new moms to “lose the baby weight”. I was fat before, I carried a healthy baby, & guess what, still fat… & THATS OKAY. I have no New Years resolution to lose weight, but only to work on learning my new body & loving & nurturing it. Not a day goes by that Nick doesn’t tell me how beautiful I am, but it’s not our partners job to lift our spirits, we have to be our own cheerleaders. So that’s what I will do, take it day by day. It’s a journey, not a race.. & a beautiful one at that. #6monthspostpartum #effyourbeautystandards @effyourbeautystandards

A photo posted by Plus Model✖️ Mom ✖️ Feminist? (@tessholliday) on Dec 23, 2016 at 8:03pm PST

Your Daily Dish reached out to Tess Holliday for a comment.

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