American social media influencer Carly Weinstein recently shared some snaps of herself sunning it up in Spain — and what people said about them totally blew her away
A woman has caused a stir online after sharing pictures of herself posing in a bikini while on holiday in Spain.
Social media influencer Carly Weinstein was inundated with messages from fans who praised her for promoting a “realistic” body image. She has since spoken out about why she thinks so many people connected with the photos.
“I posted a bikini photo around a week ago and it kinda went viral because of the way my body looks. So many people have been commenting things like ‘this is what a real body looks like’, or ‘I finally see a body that looks like mine,” she wrote on Instagram.
“Now first of all this sent me into a spiral because I didn’t even think twice about the fact that it might have looked like a ‘realistic’ body to some people, I was just vibing in my bathing suit showing my awesome view. But then I realised what is a ‘realistic’ body? Our bodies are so diverse and they change all the time.
“They can be big, or small, or in between. They can be curvy, or straight, or somewhere in between. They can be strong, or weak, or somewhere in between. And they’re all beautiful. Every single one of them. I’m so glad that my bikini photo is helping some people to see that. It’s a reminder that there’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ body. Everyone is perfect just the way they are.”
Read more: ‘I feel physically sick after discovering mum’s 6-year affair with my husband’
She added: “But it reminded me that there is still a huge lack of body diversity in my industry and on social media in general. I’m not just talking about the lack of different body size, but also a lack of things like cellulite, bruises, peach fuzz, things that are totally normal and human.”.
Previously, Carly had spoken candidly about body image on her podcast, real with Carly Weinstein. During this frank discussion, she shared that the initial “shock” and “confusion” gradually faded as she realised women are growing increasingly “tired” of societal beauty standards.
She stated: “This post is not meant to be preachy because I’m just like all of you I absolutely do not like what I see in the mirror all the time and that is fine,” she continued. But I want to remind you that no matter what, how you look on the outside is not and never will determine the human being that you are.
For all the latest on news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US.
“So yes, we all want to slay on the beach, but if you wake up and aren’t feeling yourself, it’s not the end of the world.” She further encouraged others to “give yourself grace”, and reminded her followers that ” no one will ever remember you because of how you looked, but rather the impact that you made on others”.
Wrapping up her story, she said: “A photo like that should not send everyone into oblivion,” she concluded. “You don’t need to strive for perfection, you are worthy no matter what.” Carly also posted a video of the same message on TikTok, which has since garnered a multitude of responses. One person responded with enthusiasm: “We are just so tired of filters and smoothing pictures before posting them that seeing this just felt so refreshing and real.”
Another chimed in, expressing a desire for more diversity: “I feel like we’re only seeing extremes like models or really fashionable plus size. But not really in between.” A third shared a moment of self-realisation: “Happiness is realising my body is not the full picture. Every girl needs to hear this.”
The candid nature of Carly’s photo also inspired others to embrace their own image: “This makes me sad. I went to Jamaica, and Mexico and refused pics bc I felt so self-conscious… I should’ve taken the pics, you look so hot,” lamented one commenter. Encouragement was a common theme as another added: “This motivated me to just stop freaking out internally and take the picture.
Do you have a story to share? Email [email protected].
