A model named Liza Golden-Bhojwani has shared before and after pictures of herself taken three years apart to make a statement about the modelling industry’s unrealistic ideals on weight.

Images VIA 

In the left image taken in 2013, Liza was at the “peak of fame” as a model. On the right is Liza now. Despite the fact that in the left photo Liza was the correct size and frame to be a fashion model, she describes how she would starve herself by only eating 500 calories per day while sticking to a strict workout regime, which led to a whole host of health problems.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRKkFeqjhsQ/

Liza said:

I beat myself up for a long time, playing it over and over again in my head how I completely failed.

Liza tried to get in shape, but this time she did it without starving herself:

It was really a struggle, as I saw so many other girls just getting there so easily, eating whatever they wanted and barely working out while I was busting my ass.

I was back at square one. I really just couldn’t understand it at this point.

Bad luck? Or maybe I was just not cut out for this. Maybe I am not meant to be this person. Maybe I am not meant to be here.

I was really in a bad state of mind, negative, depressed, overly emotional. I was miserable.

One day I just thought… why am I fighting against my body? Why don’t I just go in the same direction? Stop forcing my own agenda and just listen to my body.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSGewPkDKa9/

And that’s what I did, slowly slowly I was coming into my true body form. My natural self, not my forced self.

The picture on the right is me as of right now, my body as it is. Not perfect, not show ready or VS ready, not the best, but it is mine and my soul is happy. I workout 5 days a week, but there are times when I don’t due to injuries, or travels. And you know what? That’s just fine with me.

Because when I’m done I get right back to the gym happily! I do it solely for myself, not for my job anymore.

I eat what I want and I feel no guilt. And for me that’s a good feeling. Maybe I wasn’t made to be on the covers of magazines and shooting the biggest and best brands, but I was made for a reason.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPXMKUcB3CF/

What a truly inspirational story. Now more than ever does this message need to be promoted. Young girls in particular are being presented from the get-go with unrealistic ideals on physical appearance and body shape, which is leading to an increase in anxiety, depression and eating disorders. In reality, Liza is far healthier on the right picture, but the beauty industry would only pick her for a job if she was at the unhealthy weight. This needs to change.

For more body positive models changing the perception of beauty, click HERE.