'Having the perfect body isn't all it's cracked up to be': Former bodybuilder embraces 'reverse progress' - she's gained weight and loves and accepts her shape the way it is



As images of the perfect bodies continue to proliferate on social media, campaigners are hitting back against unrealistic - and unhealthy - ideals.



Australian mother-of-three Taryn Brumfitt, 35, became an Internet sensation when she posted a muscle-bound ‘before’ and more curvaceous ‘after’ photos on Facebook, stating to the world that 'having the perfect body isn't all it's cracked up to be.'

Her post was viewed over 3.6million times and shared by nearly 20,000 Facebook users in two weeks, sparking an international conversation about body image.

BEFORE (left): Taryn in May 2012 when she was preparing for a bodybuilding competition, and AFTER (right): Taryn posted this picture of herself having accepted her body as it is



Taryn's experience has prompted her to set up the Body Image Movement and now she's trying to make a documentary to raise awareness further

Now the mother-of-three from Adelaide has launched the Body Image Movement which aims to challenge conventional standards of female beauty, and is even trying to raise funds for a feature-length documentary, Embrace, to raise awareness of the issues facing women.

Embrace will explore why body loathing has become a global epidemic and encourage women to be more accepting of who they are, to use positive language regarding their bodies and others, and to prioritise health before beauty.

Taryn says responses to her ‘reverse before and after’ pictures were what prompted her to start the Body Image Movement.

‘Many applauded me for my bravery in posting the 'after' shot however, many berated me for promoting obesity. There were others who labelled me a bad role model for my children.

‘It got me thinking...the world has been brainwashed!

‘Women and girls are constantly held back and led to believe they’re not as good as they should be. Why? Because every day we feel we’re being judged on our appearance and how far away it is from an unachievable ideal.



The trailer for Embrace - which has nearly reached the donations needed to go into full production - explores the self hatred that many women feel regarding their bodies

Taryn talks about her own body image struggles in Embrace, hoping to change attitudes about the female form

Taryn says: 'Every day we feel we're being judged on our appearance and how far away it is from an unachievable ideal'

‘Lose weight, reduce wrinkles, fight cellulite; we’re constantly told to fight a battle to be someone other than who we are.

‘Excessive Photoshopping, the sexualisation of women in the media and advertising campaigns that prey on women's insecurities – it’s no wonder there is a culture of body loathing and body shaming of epidemic proportions going on in the world.

‘Our goal is to reach as many women as possible around the world and speak to them about how we can learn to fully embrace and love our bodies.'

Taryn spent years deeply unhappy with her own body before training to become a competitive bodybuilder in a quest to achieve the ‘perfect’ figure, competing in May 2012 in a sports figure competition.

In order to raise funds for the documentary Taryn has set up a Kickstarter page, which has attracted 4,671 backers and so far $169,403 (£92,510) has been pledged of the $200,000 (£109,220) goal.

What is the Body Image Movement? We say no to…

Excessive Photoshopping of body images in the media



Being programmed by the media and corporations into accepting unrealistic body images



Prescribing to the notion that being a certain weight determines whether you’re healthy



Sexualisation of women in the media and modern culture



Women being treated as sexual objects and the objectification of women



Society and advertising preying on women’s insecurities And we say yes to… Body diversity and embracing all body types, shapes, sizes, colours and revelling in the beauty of the human form

Celebrating the journey our bodies have been on



Giving an alternative to cosmetic surgery, and learning to live and love your body



Growing old, and acknowledging the privilege to do so



Women focusing on things that are important, rather than comparing ourselves to others



Teaching women that their body is not an ornament, but a vehicle to their dreams



Teaching women to arm themselves with the skills which will make them resilient and unshakable when bombarded with negative body image in the media



Being healthy at every weight