A woman who overcame her body insecurities to showcase her ‘large powerful thighs’ on Instagram has gathered almost 100K followers on her inspiring journey.
Tracy Griffith, 34, from Texas, used to consistently struggle with her appearance, missing out on so many day-to-day activities, fearing she would be seen and shamed by onlookers.
‘I’ve always struggled with my body image, even when I was much smaller than I am now. I remember missing out on so many things, especially at the lake or the pool, because I didn’t want to be seen,’ Tracy said.
Baring all: Texas woman Tracy Griffith, 34, has gained nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram as she documented her body positivity journey
All curves: Tracy claims that her body issues stem from the unattainable beauty standards depicted in the media
‘My issues have mostly come from media and seeing that only thinner women were appreciated. I don’t think that is the reality.
It wasn’t until she entered the realms of social media that Tracy discovered ways to connect with and celebrate women of all shapes and sizes. From then on, she was motivated to start posting pictures of herself without fearing what others would think and saw her accept her insecurities.
‘All different types of people love and are attracted to people of all different sizes. Social media has helped the world to understand this a little better since real people are becoming more visible.
‘I have definitely been on this journey of self-love for a while now. The first step was just acceptance.
‘Look in the mirror and see your features and what you perceive as flaws and understand that they are not good or bad, they just are there.
She’s in fashion: Tracy became inspired after finding women of all sizes showing off their shapes on social media
Lady in red: She now claims that she loves ‘my large powerful thighs’ and even on a good day, her stomach
‘Now I can say I truly love parts of myself I used to hate. I love my large powerful thighs and on a good day I even love my tummy.
‘Some days I still look at myself and don’t like what I see. The most important thing I have to remember is that your physical appearance does not have to affect your mental health and happiness.
‘You can improve yourself, exercise, eat healthy, but don’t do them because you hate yourself, do them because you want to be good to yourself.
‘I love how much the plus size industry is growing! The options for gorgeous and sexy plus size clothing are growing every day.
‘Every single person, regardless of their size, deserves to feel fabulous and beautiful and wear clothes they are proud of. I am so glad to see so many companies offering such stylish clothes in plus sizes now.
‘My Instagram page is my primary outlet for body positivity. I hope to reach people who may not understand how beautiful they are just as they are right now.’
Ready for her close-up: Tracy hopes that her account shows women that you can be beautiful at any size
The run-up: As for her own social media popularity, Tracy claims that getting started was the hardest part
Perfect poser: Tracy said that the world can ‘open up’ if you can accept yourself first
According to Tracy, getting started was the hardest part because it involved the toughest step in her journey: self-acceptance.
‘We have been taught as women to constantly alter ourselves; once we let go of that, the whole world can open up,’ she said.
‘My goal is to continue to improve my life and myself out of a place of self-love and not self-hate, to inspire others to be kind to themselves and to wear gorgeous clothing and show people that you can look amazing at any size.’
Tracy also makes an effort to hit out against stereotypes about curvier women and their dietary habits and exercise routines by sharing her own body maintenance secrets.
‘I currently follow a low carb diet high in green vegetables and protein. I do cardio a few days a week and weight train the other days,’ she said.
With a huge online following, Tracy is faced with frequent criticism but says that she mostly receives very positive comments from the public.
Hitting the gym: Tracy also hits out at plus-size stereotypes by sharing her workout schedule and diet details
On her way: She told her followers to make sure that they remember that ‘you are worthy of a full and vibrant life no matter what you look like’
‘I have had people send me messages saying my page has helped them realise they can love themselves as they are,’ she said. ‘Just today I had a man thank me for helping his woman understand that you can be beautiful and not be thin.
‘Many people try to categorize me, calling me thick, or fat, or plump, or a big beautiful woman (BBW), but in the end, we cannot allow someone else to determine who we are.
‘People can label me whatever they want, I am still going to keep doing my thing and spreading positivity.’
Tracy also offered up some advice to other women struggling with similar body image issues.
‘Just keep going. Body positivity is a journey and not a destination,’ she said. ‘Wake up every day and make a commitment to yourself. You are worthy of a full and vibrant life no matter what you look like.
‘Don’t miss out on life because you are afraid of what others will think, you are the one that will have to look back and decide if you are satisfied with the life you have lived.’