They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but what they don't say is how deceptive that picture can be. This is especially the case when it comes to social media. One woman is making it her mission to keep it real. Body positive activist Milly Smith, also known as @selfloveclubb, posted side-by-side photos of herself in black tights showing how drastically different you can make your body look just with poses.
More from MamásLatinas: Denise Bidot wants you to know that there is "No Wrong Way" to be a person
In the photo on the left, Smith is seen wearing a black bra and black tights. Her waist looks tiny, her stomach appears flat, you can even see a teeny tiny bit of thigh gap. In the picture on the right, Smith is seen posing in the same exact bra and tights only 5 seconds later. Her belly looks fuller, her thighs look thicker, and there's no thigh gap to be seen. What changed you ask? Nothing. Just her pose.
Embedded content: https://www.instagram.com/p/BP29w0IA1OQ/
"Same girl, same day, same time. Not a before and after. Not a weight transformation. Not a diet company promotion," Smith captioned the post. "I am comfortable with my body in both. Neither is more or less worthy. Neither makes me more or less of a human being. Neither invites degrading comments and neither invites sleazy words," Smith wrote.
Amen to that! It's important to recognize how drastically different bodies can look with certain posing, angles, and even clothes. It's so easy to get caught up with this. Smith admits that she also does this exercise for herself. It helps her deal with any negative thoughts she might be having towards her body.
Smith also added:
We are so blinded to what a real unposed body looks like and blinded to what beauty is that people would find me less attractive within a 5 second pose switch! How insanely ridiculous is that!? I love taking these, it helps my mind so much with body dysmorphia and helps me rationalize my negative thoughts. Don't compare, just live for you. There is no one on this planet who's like you and that's pretty damn amazing don't ya think. The old doesn't need another copy, it needs you. We are worthy, valid, and powerful beyond measure.
The activist has shared a lot of side-by-side photos like this on her Instagram.
Embedded content: https://www.instagram.com/p/BUhqUn3lg93/
Embedded content: https://www.instagram.com/p/BTwuoDwlTHE/
Smith is just one of many body positivist activists on Instagram who have made a point to highlight how images on social media can be deceiving. Fitness blogger Sara Puhto, shared a side-by-side comparison photo back in January. It was two photos taken literally directly after the other. The point of the post was to show that what some may consider the ideal "beach body" is sometimes achieved with the perfect pose and good angles.
Embedded content: https://www.instagram.com/p/BPKU2ZeBv4X/
Fitness star Anna Victoria has also shared similar like side-by-sides to make the same point, that your body doesn't look perfect at every angle.
Embedded content: https://www.instagram.com/p/BTDH6AcA7AU/
We need more Instagram stars–even celebs–to be honest about this kind of stuff. Because at the end of the day, there is no such thing as "the perfect body." The sooner we realize that, the closer we'll get to loving ourselves just the way we are.
Image via selfloveclubb/Instagram
