7 Inspiring body-positive moments that gave us life in 2017

Sometimes, it can be really hard being a woman. You’re expected to have no areas that jiggle. Thighs that are free of dimples, with a gap.

Oh, and then there’s the abs crack. Veer off these bizarre standards of perfection and—if you’re a celeb or have an Instagram account—trolls may come after you for not looking “enough.” Thin enough. Toned enough. Young enough. Whatever.

Obviously, these standards are ridiculous, impossible, and just wrong.

That’s why we have all the praise hands for these body-positive celebrities and social media stars who have gained the respect and admiration from women everywhere for taking a stand against body bashing—and showing themselves unapologetically exactly as they are.

We’re thrilled that each year delivers more and more of these narrative-changing moments, 2017 being no exception. Here are seven that served up a serious dose of inspo:

Celine Dion strips down

The age-defying 49-year-old singer made all of our jaws drop when she shared a nude Instagram photo on the Vogue account back in July.

“She performs a minimum two hours a night, five or six nights a week, dancing and curtseying and generally gesticulating sans abandon, in handmade, hand-beaded delicacies designed solely to walk a catwalk or a carpet (and often with handlers),” the caption said.

It’s easy to see where she gets her confidence.

READ MORE: Thick Leeyonce Hit Back At A Sexist Body-Shamer With This Epic Clapback

Blogger Sarah Sapora Wears Bikini For The First Time In 25 Years

Back in April we all cheered when blogger Sarah Sapora posted a pic of herself in a two-piece on Instagram to celebrate the first time she wore a bikini in 25 years.

“I was held back by my OWN limiting belief that I was not worthy or comfortable wearing [a bikini],” Sarah said.

READ MORE: Toya Delazy Opens Up About Body Image In The Age Of Instagram

Ashley Graham shares un-retouched photos 

Model Ashley Graham continued to slay on the runway and in front of the camera in 2017.

Just this month, Ashley revealed a series of unretouched photos from a Vogue Italia shoot on her social media. The caption: “When they don’t retouch you- @vogueitalia.” As you can imagine, they are stunning.

READ MORE: This Is Why So Many Women Are Posting Naked Yoga Photos On Instagram Right Now

Ariel Winter slams body-shamers for hating her shorts 

Leave it to online trolls to get all upset when someone wears…shorts. Modern Family actress Ariel Winter sported shorts to a party in June, and commenters flooded her feed claiming she was “squeezing” into them.

When people got upset, she shared an epic “rant” on Twitter, shutting the criticisms down. “I’m not a whore because I wear shorts and tank tops,” she wrote. “I’m a normal girl. Also, I’m not ‘squeezing’ into anything. My shorts fit me and everything I’m doing is just fine.”

READ MORE: Here’s Why This Body Positive Model Shared Her Own Retouched Images

Demi Lovato shares a reminder about clothing sizes

The singer is no stranger to speaking out and lifting others up. In fact, she’s been open about her eating disorder and living with mental-health struggles.

Back in April when people started criticising her body, she used this simple Tweet to shut them down completely: “about what people think about my body. I am more than a number and a jean size. F**k yeah!”

READ MORE: This Fitness Trainer’s Deleted Cellulite Photo Is Body Positive Goals

Artist Maggie West takes stunning nude portraits for slut walk

To celebrate the many different definitions of womanhood and femininity that exist, artist Maggie West took stunning nude portraits of women from all walks of life—featuring trans women, women of colour, and plus-size women.

West says that the photography exhibit “pays tribute to women’s freedom to sexually express themselves and protest sexual violence.” The photos were displayed in Los Angeles as an art installation leading up to Amber Rose’s annual SlutWalk event. 

Self-Love author Allison Kimmy claps back at haters 

When people had the gall to tell Allison that she was a “dangerous mother” because of her weight, she fired back with side-by-side Instagram photos of herself. One, in earlier years at a lighter weight, and today.

She reveals that when she was thinner, she drank, smoked, and was obsessed with the scale. Today, she’s happier—and also happens to be heavier.

The message she wants to send to other moms of daughters? “Show them that there is more to life than the way you look, and be the first example that nothing can hold you back, especially not another person’s opinion of you.”

This article was origianlly published on www.womenshealthmag.com.