A body-positive photographer has inspired dozens of women to show off their ‘quarantine bodies’ after posing in her underwear to hit back at the ‘tone-deaf’ weight-gain stigma that has emerged amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Anastasia Garcia, 32, from Brooklyn, New York, was fed up with body-shaming memes about putting on the ‘quarantine 15’ when she stripped down to her black Calvin Klein bra and bikini briefs to snap a mirror selfie in early April.
‘If these memes triggered me after all the work I’ve done to promote self-acceptance, I wondered how it was affecting women around me,’ she told Glamour. ‘I was so disappointed that despite all the body-positive progress we’ve made, fat people were still the butt of the joke.’
Hitting back: Photographer Anastasia Garcia, 32, from Brooklyn, New York, was fed up with seeing body-shaming memes about putting on the ‘quarantine 15’ when she posted this selfie
Viral: Garcia urged others to post their own selfies using the hashtag #myquarantinebody. Plus-size model Hunter McGrady said she stands with Garcia when she shared her photo
Garcia posted the image on Instagram to combat the fatphobia she was seeing online, insisting that there is no shame in having your body change as you navigate the uncertainty of the global crisis.
‘This is #myquarantinebody It’s definitely not as strong as it was a month ago — when I was in the gym every week — AND THAT’S OK! This body is my home. It’s keeping me safe and healthy during times of crisis. And now more than ever I am so thankful that I am healthy… when so many are losing their lives,’ she wrote.
‘I’ve been really disappointed seeing blatant body shaming and weight gain stigma around being quarantined. It feels tone-deaf, short-sighted and incredibly privileged. We are all quite literally in survival mode. So it’s ok if you’re not feeling your fittest, or if you’re eating differently (as many of us are due to grocery store availability).
Powerful message: Maddie Touma reminded others that ‘it’s OK to gain weight during quarantine’ when she posted her photo
Spreading the word: Model Abbey Ries said ‘body shame and societal pressures about gaining or losing weight have no business in this crisis’
Right attitude: Instagram user Jennifaire said she is ‘trying to be kind’ to herself and ’embrace’ all the great food she is able to make in quarantine
‘Life right now is not business as usual and no amount of body stigma and fat shame is going to change that,’ she added.
Garcia ended her post by encouraging others to post their own selfies and stories using the hashtag #myquarantinebody.
‘We may not be able to change our current environment but we can empower each other toward self-love in these difficult times,’ she wrote.
More than 40 women have shared snapshots so far, including plus-size model and body-positivity advocate Hunter McGrady.
Powerful words: ‘I am not a before. I am not an after. I am a during,’ journalist Liz Black captioned her photo
Full of love: Model Michaela McGrady reminded her followers that they are ‘wonderful’ just the way they are
The 27-year-old Sports Illustrated Swimsuit star posted a photo of herself posing in a black lace bra and underwear while noting that she has also seen ‘lots of negative “self-talk” during this time.’
‘I ask that you be kind to your body, Nurture your body, Love on your body fiercely, respect it, and even better, be PROUD of it,’ she wrote.
‘It’s getting you through this time! I stand with @anastasiagphoto to stop the body shame and love yourself, even during times of crisis. Here’s #MyQuarantineBody.’
Models Michaela McGrady and Abbey Ries were also among the women who shared body-positive pics of themselves in support of Garcia.
Amazing: More than 40 women have shared photos using the hashtag #myquarantinebody
United: In celebration of the movement, Garcia posted photo collages of the women who joined her in challenging ‘fatphobic rhetoric’
Movement: Garcia said seeing the women’s photos have made her ‘feel more connected to people’ during the global crisis
In celebration of the movement, Garcia posted photo collages of the women who joined her in challenging ‘fatphobic rhetoric’ and ‘the flurry of weight gain memes circulating the internet.’
‘Over 40 women have posted images of themselves so far. They have shared their stories, their bodies, and in doing so challenged each of their communities to continue loving their bodies despite current circumstances,’ she wrote.
‘Seeing these beauties bare their souls with such honesty and vulnerability has made me feel more connected to people than I have in over a month. Thank you.
‘As we press forward I hope that we can all remember that magic can be created from chaos and no amount of fat shame is going to save us.
‘We are navigating unprecedented times. And while I can’t be behind the lens creating images to inspire… I can still stand with you and support you on your journey toward self-love.’