Most body transformations focus on weight loss, but for Australian swimwear designer Karina Irby, her greatest achievement was embracing her natural curves.
The 33-year-old founder of Moana Bikini revealed she used to limit her diet and work out obsessively when she was younger because she felt pressure to be thin.
She shared her experience on Tuesday in a candid Instagram Story, posting a throwback photo of herself in her teens looking extremely slim.
Most body transformations focus on weight loss, but for Australian swimwear designer Karina Irby (pictured), her greatest achievement was embracing her natural curves
While Irby stressed she ‘didn’t have a disorder’, she said her relationship with food and exercise was unhealthy at the time, and her desire to stay thin was motivated by the warped belief it was the only way to be popular.
‘I didn’t have a disorder,’ she began, ‘but I did purposely eat less and do non-stop cardio.’
Irby said she blames ‘the media’ of the time for ‘brainwashing’ her into ‘thinking you were only beautiful if you were thin. You’d only have friends or a boyfriend if you were thin.’
She added: ‘It was so toxic and extremely unhealthy, both mentally and physically.
The 33-year-old founder of Moana Bikini revealed that at the time this photo was taken, she used to limit her diet and work out obsessively because she felt pressure to be thin
‘I’m thankful for my experiences because now I get to share body love with you guys,’ she said
‘But I’m thankful for my experiences because now I get to share body love with you guys. Be the change you wish to see.’
Two months ago, Irby hit back at a troll who told her to ‘consider seeing a doctor’ after she shared a relatable photo of her bloated stomach.
The Gold Coast native often posts about her bloating to remind her 1.1 million Instagram followers it is perfectly normal and affects many women.
But after uploading a picture of herself when she was feeling ‘bleh’ on her period, one cruel follower said she should get her stomach checked out by a professional.
Two months ago, Karina hit back at a troll who told her to ‘consider seeing a doctor’ after she shared a relatable photo of her bloated stomach
After uploading the above picture of herself when she was feeling ‘bleh’ on her period, one cruel follower said she should get her stomach checked out by a professional
‘Hun… um… this seems to me to be beyond mere “bloated”. Have you considered seeing a doctor?’ the troll asked.
Other critics said Ms Irby shouldn’t be normalising bloating because it’s caused by a ‘bad diet’, and one even accused her of ‘letting herself go’.
The body-positive model shared some of these negative comments in a subsequent post, and insisted her most recent bout of bloating wasn’t related to her diet.
‘Sorry, but I’d like to address my bloating post from two days ago,’ she began.
The Gold Coast native often posts about her bloating to remind her 1.1 million Instagram followers it is perfectly normal and affects many women
Several critics said Ms Irby shouldn’t be normalising bloating because it’s caused by a ‘bad diet’, and one even accused her of ‘letting herself go’
‘I was reading the comments and it definitely left me feeling defeated and disappointed. Trolls on fake accounts are one thing, but actual real women making assumptions about me publicly and gaslighting are another.’
She continued: ‘I post how I feel, and two days ago I got my period and my body blew up like a water balloon so I share it.
‘Today, my belly is back to normal for everyone who was so opinionated and concerned. You’re welcome.’
The body-positive model reshared some of these negative comments, and insisted her most recent bout of bloating wasn’t related to her diet but was instead caused by her period
Bloating is a common symptom of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and is caused by changes in levels of the progesterone and estrogen, reports Medical News Today.
These changes cause the body to retain more water and salt, and bloating results when the body’s cells become swollen with water.
Ms Kirby went on to say she hopes by posting about her bloating she ‘can make [other women] feel less alone when you get bloated and upset’.
Bloating is a common symptom of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and is caused by changes in levels of the progesterone and estrogen
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