While we spend most of our December looking forward to festive parties and cozy days with the fam, we also like to take a moment to remember all of the amazing things that happened this year (because, let’s be honest, Facebook’s year in review is mega depressing). This year we’re reflecting on all the wonderful body positivity moments that made us scream YAS QUEEN from our office rooftop. From celebrities to hashtags, here are 12 moments in 2016 that celebrated diverse bodies and made us super proud.
1. We learned to celebrate our #MermaidThighs. While having a natural gap between your thighs is cool, there’s no question that the trend-setting thigh gap phenomenon was a little sketchy (so cringy, in fact, that there was even a fake thigh gap jewelry website to help combat it). This year, ladies with slightly thicker thighs celebrated their curves with the hashtag #MermaidThighs on Instagram. And yes, we’re a teensy bit obsessed.
2. There were SO MANY body positive ads this year. Sure, we’ve seen a scattering of body positive ads in the past, but 2016 was the year body diversity and inclusivity hit it big. From Lane Bryant to Aerie to the There’s No Wrong Way to Be a Woman campaign… maybe our fave brands have finally gotten the message that all figures deserve a spot in the limelight.
3. This fitness blogger’s relatable problem went viral on Facebook. In another groundbreaking moment for body positivity, cool gal fitness blogger Tiffany Brien’s Facebook post about her struggle with bloating went mega viral. Not only did it bring attention to something that millions of women silently struggle with, but her girlboss attitude about the whole thing left us teary eyed and super impressed. (Photo via Tiffany Brien)
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4. #Screwthescale was a trending hashtag. Don’t get us wrong — jumping on the scale can be a helpful tool for weight management. But giving up everything you love just to get to your goal weight isn’t quite the best way to get healthier (at least in our opinion). This year, fitness buffs have been encouraging everyday peeps to stop giving so much meaning to a specific number on the scale with a badass trendy hashtag.
5. Science said loving your body is the key to happiness. Instead of saying that having an athlete’s body (or worse, a “bikini body”) would finally make us feel happy, a new study proved that genuinely loving your body, flaws and all, is the key to a happier life. Take that, haters.
6. Plus-size yogis became Insta-famous and mega inspirational. One of the most common (and annoying) misconceptions about working out is that you have to be a size two to do it in public. This year, we got the chance to chat with two up and coming plus-size yogis, Jessamyn Stanley and Dana Falsetti, who are motivating millions with their size-inclusive fitness programs.
7. Body positive Barbies finally happened. While we probably won’t be saying goodbye to crazy proportioned Barbie dolls anytime soon, this year Barbie released a few new body positive gals to their popular product line. From Ashley Graham’s body positive Barbie to a plus-size boy Lammily doll, kiddos have more options than ever when it comes to body inclusive toys.
8. An OITNB star wore a killer swimsuit to New York Fashion Week and slayed the damn game. Known as a fierce advocate for body positivity, Dascha Polanco wore a gorgeous swimsuit at fashion week that made a huge body positive statement (and coincidently inspired our wardrobe must-have for the season). (Photo via Ilya S. Savenok/Getty)
I sometimes get asked why my weight is in my bio and FYI it's bc I think it's weird how people have no idea what different weights look like
— Sam Escobar 👻 (@myhairisblue) August 17, 2016
9. Good Housekeeping Beauty Editor Sam Escobar went on a Twitter rant that we loved. After a struggle with bulimia that led them crunching the numbers on the scale every day, Sam Escobar is now candidly open about their weight on their Twitter bio. Detailing the reality of weight in the beauty industry, their inspiring Twitter thread definitely opened up our eyes to the underlying systemic problems we still need to address.
View this post on InstagramLet ur brows grow wild nd free
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10. Supermodel Victoria Cain told the world how she actually deals with her period during fashion week. Periods. They happen. But most of the time, most women don’t feel comfortable openly talk about them (and the bloat and acne that comes as annoying side effects). Luckily, girlboss supermodel Victoria Cain opened up about the fashion industry’s practices in an interview with The Independent. And yes, it was just as badass as it sounds.
11. We learned the actual psychology behind wanting a “bikini body” and how to deal with the misconception. While the idea of needing a “bikini body” to hit the beach is nothing new, this year we got some actual scientific reasons for why we think we need one to rock a two piece. Fortunately, we were also able to score some mega helpful tips to raise body positive kids to help the next generation get a head start.
View this post on InstagramAnd I'm in this picture too! @theashleygraham
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12. More celebs and Instagrammers became champions for the the body positive movement. Joining the ranks of some of our fave celebrities and public figures, this year we’ve seen a great increase in the number of celebs, fitness Instagrammers and others who’ve joined the body positive moment. Slay, queens!
