Love U Magazine Power Issue, 2017 | Page 80

D id you know that 80% of women are dissatisfied with their body’s appearance? Or that 97% of diets fail after 3 years and that losing weight doesn’t improve significant health markers for most people? It’s no surprise that so many people are trying to change that mindset by embracing radical self- love instead. If you’ve been following the body positive movement online, you will likely have seen quite a few lingerie selfies. These self-portraits are a form of empowerment, especially for people who are not usually seen in the media, like plus size women. By taking selfies, women can be reminded of their true beauty and that they do not need to live up to an unachievable standard set by our society. Selfies are powerful tools when used as a form of empowerment, as opposed to being used as a form of competition among peers. They can remind us all that we don’t need to be supermodels to be worthy of love, respect, and kindness, but also that supermodels are worthy of those feelings too. Selfies have been shown to help people to become more comfortable with how their body appears. They help people learn to love all of their best features and maybe even their so-called flaws. Selfies (and boudoir photoshoots) allow women to see their body from different angles. They give one an outsider's perspective on their own body. Women are often are own worst critics--sometimes it takes seeing yourself from a new perspective to serve as a reminder of how beautiful you are and to help you tap into your inner ‘hotness.’ It especially helps if you are struggling to free comfortable in a bathing suit or in lingerie, itself. f taking a selfie or being in a boudoir shoot is beyond your comfort zone, don’t let the camera become your barrier. All you need is a full-length mirror, your favorite lingerie (or bathing suit). Add in a hand- held mirror to see yourself I