A fitness star was praised for speaking candidly about “bikini bodies”.
Tiffiny Hall, a coach who appeared on The Biggest Loser Australia, is tired of women being told they need to slim down to wear swimwear or slinky Christmas dresses.
So the 36-year-old, who is lives in Melbourne and is preparing for the summer, had some words of advice for her 222,000 followers.
Alongside an unairbrushed bikini picture, she wrote: “It’s that time of year again when many of us start focussing on getting into shape…
“Firstly, I think it’s fab when I see people driven to eat and move better. Whether that means setting yourself a seasonal fitness goal, feeling inspired by the sunshine to be more active, using a vacation or new year’s resolutions as motivation, even setting your sites on toning up or losing weight to fit into a strappy dress. But (there’s a “but”)…
“I want to set one thing straight: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A BIKINI BODY.”
Tiffiny continued: “From stretch marks and loose skin, to people with chiseled abs or (what some might call) “bulky” muscles.
“From postpartum bodies to cellulite or TTOTM bloating.
“From heavy, light, curvy, straight, jiggly and broad, to everything in between – all bodies are fit to rock a bikini.
“Unfortunately, this isn’t always what we’re told…
“Because of this standard, for many real women (and men) summer can bring with it a lot of anxiety, doubt and pressure – anxiety about that hot day at the beach in bathers, doubt over wearing that singlet dress to Christmas, pressure to look a certain way.”
In a bid to make her followers feel less body conscious this Christmas, Tiffiny warned them to set different fitness goals.
She said: “I want to set you a challenge.
“This summer, when setting your goals, try and shift your focus. Go for a functional, strong and capable body; a vessel that allows you to live your life to its fullest.
“Focus on finding confidence and nourishing this vessel. Practise self love in the mirror, and build yourself (and others) up. Even if your goal is to lose weight (that’s okay!), do it with self love.
“And remember: wear that singlet, shine in that sundress, smile at yourself in the mirror, buy those bathers, take that selfie, share that photo – your body is incredible.”
Fans appreciated Tiffiny’s words of wisdom – and the post garnered more than 4,400 likes.
One commenter wrote: “This is everything. Haven’t worn a bikini in 8 years and have so much negativity about my body!
“This is the message so many woman and men need to hear.”
Another said: “A true inspiration to many woman.
“I love your work and watching your journey has been great motivator in my life.”
And a third added: “Thank you Tiff. I needed this reminder.”