Last week, fitness blogger and mother Anna Strode took to Instagram to show her post-baby body some love — and send an important message of support to her fellow moms.
Strode's post, which has garnered nearly 3,000 likes, shows two seemingly opposing photos of her stomach, side by side: One where her skin hangs loosely and another that shows off her six-pack abs.
In the accompanying caption, Strode reveals the two photos were taken moments apart. "The pic on the right is one that might resemble what you see as you scroll your Instagram feed each day. The pic on the right probably reminds you of the ones you think you could never possibly share with the world," she writes. "But guess what," she adds, "I've decided that both pictures MAKE ME PROUD."
Strode goes on to speak out against the impossible standards women's bodies are held to, even after giving birth. "Everyday we are surrounded by images that are supposed to represent 'perfection' but why can't the pic on the left represent perfection too?! The pic on the left represents what my body is capable of ~ growing 2 babies, yes!"
Her comments echo those of Blake Lively, Kristen Bell, and other new mothers who'd rather celebrate what their bodies can do and not how they look. Even more heartening, this seems to be part of a larger, nationwide trend — women are slowly starting to accept their bodies as they are.
Strode ends her post with a call to action for moms, though it can apply to all women: "Be proud, be kind, love your body for what it has done. Stretch marks, loose skin, bellies and saggy boobs - embrace it mummas because you are BEAUTIFUL."
Check out Strode's full post below.
It's your body. It's your summer. Enjoy them both. Check out more #TakeBackTheBeach here.