There it is … that dreaded, sinking feeling many women know all too well.
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Summer is just around the corner and it’s time to get that bikini body ready.
Because, god forbid, you might be seen in the flesh with anything other than a smooth, blemish-free and tightly toned bod.
Stop. Right. There.
Taryn Brumfitt isn’t having any of it.
The director of award-winning documentary Embrace has embarked on the next chapter of her mission to get women to be more comfortable in their own skin.
And she has included Albury on a whirlwind seven-day bus tour in September to promote the release of her book Embrace Yourself – described as the “ultimate how-to guide to loving your body at every shape and size”.
Everywhere she turns Brumfitt encounters women who are “exhausted about hating their bodies”.
“They are so sad,” she says.
“I’m stopped in the supermarket every day by women in tears.
“It’s scary how many women hate their bodies.”
Brumfitt became an overnight sensation in 2013 when she posted two unconventional photos on Facebook to raise the spirits of female friends bemoaning the state of their bodies.
The “before” photo was of a svelte Brumfitt posing at a body building competition and the “after” a photo of her happily embracing her natural, curvy and gorgeous body.
The post went viral; it was seen by 100 million people and sparked an international media frenzy.
Suddenly, a woman loving her “imperfect” body became revolutionary.
We should move our bodies for pleasure, rather than punishment ... it's scary just how many women hate their bodies.
- Taryn Brumfitt
It catapulted this bubbly mum of three into a global crusade to end the body dissatisfaction epidemic.
Her acclaimed and life-changing documentary, Embrace, had its world premiere at the 2016 Sydney Film Festival.
Since the film’s release, Brumfitt has been inundated by people “desperate” to embrace their bodies but unsure how to do it.
“Body hating is universal,” she says.
“It’s sitting there bubbling just under the surface.”
The fiercely passionate champion of women is adamant we were never meant to be at war with our bodies.
“We have become disconnected with how we feel and put way too much focus on how we look,” she says.
“We should move our bodies for pleasure rather than punishment.”
But even Brumfitt admits that’s easier said than done given “we’ve been brainwashed” by the likes of billion-dollar beauty, fitness and health industries.
“They prey on our insecurities and we’ve bought in to those toxic messages,” she insists.
“The biggest challenge is to change the thinking that I need to have the perfect body to make myself happy.
“Why, when we think of summer for example, are we not thinking of how much we love the beach, or the feel of the sun and the sand on our skin?
“Instead it’s oh no, summer is coming and I have to get my bikini body ready.”
For Brumfitt, 40, learning to embrace her body was about recognising its intrinsic power – and beauty.
“My mantra is that my body is not an ornament; it’s a vehicle to my dreams,” she says.
Hers is a body that has raised three children, has run a marathon and continues to allow her to be the woman she wants to be.
Her new book addresses the importance of changing one’s mindset.
“Flaws are not flaws – the cellulite, the lines on our faces, the stretch marks … there is no wrong or right way to have a body,” she says.
But it takes work to undo years – indeed generations – of conditioning.
The first step is to not stand on the scales, Brumfitt says.
And for god’s sake, if you have young, impressionable children in your home don’t talk about diets.
“Talk to your daughters – and sons – about why we only see one type of body image in the media,” she says.
“Challenge our daughters to seek out role models for the right reasons.
“Let’s find women who are true leaders doing remarkable things – and let’s follow them.”
Brumfitt says it can be as simple as following the “right” people on social media.
“If you are following the wrong people, it can have a detrimental effect on your health,” she says.
“Unfollow people who don’t make you feel good.
“Surround yourself with positive and infectious people.”
When it comes to self-care and learning to love yourself, Brumfitt offers a wealth of advice in her book.
She provides a list of “sparkle activities” – essentially it’s about putting, well, the sparkle back into day-to-day life.
Brumfitt has a soft spot for Albury and the women who call it home.
She’s mindful of the support she’s already received from the Border.
She wants women from all walks of life – and all shapes and sizes – to get on board her bus tour on September 20.
And let’s remember this is a woman who absolutely practises what she preaches.
She’s bared all – literally – for her documentary and she’s not afraid to challenge the norms on body image.
Brumfitt’s message is urgent, critical, and incredibly inspiring.
She wants women to learn to accept their body for all the wonderful gifts it brings and reject the destructive fake images we are bombarded with every day.
“We have become so busy, we’ve forgotten to have fun,” Brumfitt says.
“This time on our planet is so precious.”
Brumfitt has plenty of wobbly, bumpy and beautiful bits.
That’s the point.
She believes it’s important to nourish your body with foods that make you feel good.
“Women are really good at looking after everyone’s needs except themselves,” she says.
“It’s time to love yourself – and the amazing body that’s got you this far.”
