When us gals say we’re not skinny enough or we’re not going to the beach because of some stretch marks or we’re not tall enough, we’re not being over dramatic people. We’re actually voicing how 90% of women around the world feel about their bodies. Not enough. Isn’t that crazy? I mean…how could this beautiful woman next to me on the street, think that she is ugly. The terrifying truth though is that majority of women hate their bodies. But it’s time we stop worrying about how we look and learn to love our bodies from the inside out and to do that? The Body Image Movement.
*cue Beyoncé – Who Run the World*
I sat down with Adelaide-babe turned international sensation, Taryn Brumfitt, to talk positive body image ahead of the Adelaide preview of ‘Embrace’, an inspiring and powerful documentary helping to reshape and redefine our relationship with our bodies. Taryn’s Body Image Movement crusade began right here after being propelled into the spotlight after a typically “unusual” before-and-after snap she posted to Facebook went viral. Since then she’s made it her mission to investigate this global phenomenon of self-loathing women and tackle some of the toughest body image issues like media portrayal, body shaming and the objectification of women.
Her message comes to life in ‘Embrace’, the documentary follows her journey from fitness model to mum of three to crying on her bedroom floor. Something had to give. For her, for her kids and for the strong, beautiful women of world. Taryn explained that, “people are looking in the wrong places to find acceptance and I was trying to give another perspective to say that self love and self-care doesn’t come in the form of a new diet or the latest fads… it comes from within. We can make the choice to Embrace it”.
After learning more about the movement and secretly trying not to gush, here’s what else Taryn had to say:
M: What surprised you most about filming the documentary and meeting so many different women?
T: The consistency in women from Austria to Canada, the United States to the U.K… every where I went the message was the same “I hate my body. I hate my body. I hate my body”.
M: What are some simple exercises women can practice daily to love themselves more?
T: Firstly appreciate your body for what it can do opposed to what it looks like. Practice positive affirmations … and practice them again! And understanding that your self-worth has nothing to do with the number on the scale. Beauty is from within. Beauty is humility, kindness and compassion.
M: How would you describe your body in one word now?
T: Strong
It’s really touching. I mean, it wasn’t until I started learning about ‘Embrace’ myself, that I noticed this quiet shift inside. An uncomfortableness in my own skin. I started realizing how much of my day was spent subconsciously picking apart my body. Heck! I was at it just a few hours ago. And what’s worse is how totally NOT alone I was. So I grabbed my ticket to ‘Embrace’ and made the conscious decision that I too could change my perception.
How can majority of the female population feel this way? Is it even possible to live without hating your body? If you’re wanting to check the film out and find some answers, be sure to snap up your tickets from Palace Nova Cinemas East End. Adelaide was a stellar sell-out for the preview screening and the buzz is building.
‘Embrace’ opens in cinemas on Thursday 4th August at Palace Nova Cinemas East End. Oh and a bit of forewarning, it’s gonna be a tear-jerker sistas. Pack tissues.
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