A model has shared a close-up photo of the back of her legs to tell women everywhere that cellulite is nothing to feel embarrassed about.
British model Charli Howard posted the image on Tuesday to make a stand against the unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by some of the media.
“They say do something each day that scares you, so re-posting this is mine for the day. Despite the fact I speed walk everywhere, squat, run and occasionally do Pure Barre, I’m still left with cellulite,” she said.
“I went to an all-girls’ boarding school and really used to envy the girls in my class who seemingly had none, and whose bodies looked, to me, nothing less than perfect.
“Whenever I opened magazines, the models and celebrities I saw didn’t have cellulite either - and if they did, they were shamed in the tabloids because of it, or knocked off their perch by nasty journalists who probably have it themselves.”
Howard, who co-founded the All Woman Project, which aims to make “all females feel represented” in the media, admitted she hasn’t always felt confident in her own skin.
“I felt like my cellulite was shameful, or an oddity. It wasn’t until I got older and saw other women’s bodies that I realised how bloody natural it is,” she said.
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Your boyfriend isn’t gonna care if you have it, and if he does, dump him for his mate. Just kidding (or am I?).
“Don’t get me wrong - my cellulite isn’t my favourite part of my body, nor is it something I shout from the rooftops about. But I know it... [isn’t] something I need to feel embarrassed about.”
She ended her post by telling her 53,000 followers they shouldn’t let cellulite hold them back, either.
“In the words of my old pal Kendrick Lamar: ‘Show me something natural like ass with some stretch marks,’” she said.
More than 3,000 people have liked Howard’s post, with many commenting to thank her for sharing the photo.
“Thank you, I hate my cellulite and need to learn to love it,” one user said.
Another added: “I’ve had it since I was about 12, and like you felt it was something to be ashamed of when I was a teenager. It’s just part of my body now, thank you for sharing.”
Men And Women Who Inspire Positive Body Image
James Corden(01 of17)
Open Image ModalHe stripped off in an underwear advert spoof alongside David Beckham. The message: "Beauty is skin deep, it's underneath that counts."He also wrote an open letter which was published by Glamour magazine in which he asks people to accept themselves for who they are. "Respect your body. It is what it is, so embrace it," he wrote. "Love every scar, ripple, and imperfection, and you won’t need others to do it for you." (credit:FOX via Getty Images)
David Beckham(02 of17)
Open Image ModalDavey B stars alongside James Corden in the underwear spoof for D&J briefs to promote healthy body image and the idea that beauty is only skin deep. (credit:J. Countess via Getty Images)
Serena Willliams (03 of17)
Open Image ModalLupita Nyong'o(04 of17)
Open Image ModalMatt McGorry(05 of17)
Open Image ModalThe Orange Is The New Black star spoke openly about his body concerns during his first shirtless scene on OITNB. He told Yahoo: "I was obsessively dieting, and when I saw that scene before the show ever came out, I thought I had blown it. I was like, 'Oh no! I didn't get as lean as I could've'. But then the show came out, and no one said anything negative about it, and it's funny because from one perspective you could say, 'Oh, he's letting himself go,' but from another perspective, I just don't need that validation I once did."I still love working out, and I think it's good for my health, and I feel good doing it. But I think with mental health, allowing myself to be who I am naturally in terms of my body, I think that's sort of practicing more self-love that way." (credit:Jennifer Lourie via Getty Images)
Prince Fielder(06 of17)
Open Image ModalFielder is a baseball player for the Texas Rangers who was featured on the front page of ESPN magazine, naked. The photograph of him was attacked on social media. The baseball player has since spoken out and said that just because a person is plus-size, it doesn't mean they can't be athletic.In an interview with ESPN.com, he said: “A lot of people probably think I’m not athletic or don’t even try to work out or whatever, but I do. Just because you’re big doesn’t mean you can’t be an athlete. And just because you work out doesn’t mean you’re going to have a 12-pack. I work out to make sure I can do my job to the best of my ability. Other than that, I’m not going up there trying to be a fitness model.” (credit:Ronald Martinez via Getty Images)
Tess Holliday (07 of17)
Open Image ModalGok Wan(08 of17)
Open Image ModalThe presenter is an advocate for body confidence in both men and women. He has been incredibly open about his struggles with obesity growing up. He presented a show called Gok's Teens: The Naked Truth, which looked at body image in young people. He also launched a campaign to get body image classes taught in schools across the country. (credit:Dave M. Benett via Getty Images)
Chrissy Teigen(09 of17)
Open Image ModalBen Cohen(10 of17)
Open Image ModalKate Winslet (11 of17)
Open Image ModalRobert Pattinson(12 of17)
Open Image ModalThe Twilight actor has been open about his struggles with Body Dysmorphia (BDD), an obsessive anxiety disorder which is characterised by the individual's preoccupation with flaws in his or her appearance which are unnoticeable to others.In the process, he's helped raise awareness of the disorder among men. (credit:Jason Kempin via Getty Images)
Demi Lovato (13 of17)
Open Image ModalAshley Graham (14 of17)
Open Image ModalAmy Schumer(15 of17)
Open Image ModalJameela Jamil (16 of17)
Open Image ModalAlexa Chung (17 of17)
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