Mom’s Bikini Photo Proves Women Can Be ‘Gorgeous’ With Cellulite

Elise Solé
A mom was inspired by Marilyn Monroe to post a bikini photo on social media. (Photo: PA)
A mom was inspired by Marilyn Monroe to post a bikini photo on social media. (Photo: PA)

One woman’s Marilyn Monroe-inspired photo is a reminder to women to love their bodies at any size.

Allison Kimmey, a mom of two from Cocoa Beach, Fla., and founder of the nonprofit GirlPhoria, posted a photo of herself wearing a pastel two-piece bikini split-screened with an image of Monroe in a similar pose. “…If Marilyn Monroe can be gorgeous with her cellulite … so can you,” Kimmey wrote.

The post has received almost 4,000 likes and lots of praise for her body confidence.

@omgkenzieee said it best when she declared that if Marilyn Monroe can be gorgeous with her cellulite…so can you! Celebrate you. Celebrate your body. Celebrate your size. Celebrate your life. Celebrate just being here in this moment RIGHT NOW! Just do you babes! Xoxo Allie

A post shared by ???? ALLISON ???? Just Do You! ???????? (@allisonkimmey) on Mar 1, 2017 at 12:15pm PST

Kimmey makes a habit of sharing her body-positive attitude. On Friday, she posted another bikini shot, writing in part, “Every single woman is deserving of respect no matter what she decides to wear, but please know that you are allowed to wear whatever you please, no matter what size you are or how ‘flattering’ it is.”

Same bikini, same body, different girl. A few sizes bigger and a million times happier. This can be scary for people, that if they stop dieting and obsessing about their body and everything they hate about it that they will turn out like I did. And to that I say: I could only wish that for you. Because what you see here is so much MORE than a physical change. Weight gain and loss do not and NEVER WILL equal happiness. The transformation I made was on the INSIDE. Something that never clicked with any 30 day program or 3 week quick fix or diet fad. A complete mental shift, a soulful reset. And when I consistently made heart centered choices the pounds and inches didn't matter any more- I have learned they will come and go through the ebbs and flows of life – but finding true peace and passion within yourself…that is immeasurable and will provide a lifetime of joy. Just do you babes! Xoxo Allie

A post shared by ???? ALLISON ???? Just Do You! ???????? (@allisonkimmey) on Mar 7, 2017 at 8:24am PST

“Since high school I’ve struggled with disordered eating patterns and weight fluctuations,” Kimmey tells Yahoo Beauty. When she married her high school sweetheart in 2008, Kimmey was a size 2/4, but “no matter my size, I felt like the girl was trying to fit in.” After the birth of her son, now 6, and daughter, now 4, Kimmey became exhausted by the idea of chasing perfection.

While working in marketing at a plus-size clothing company, she was encouraged to try modeling, and from there, her confidence soared. Now Kimmey’s Instagram account depicts her body at all different weights, but the theme is constant: Love your body.

Kimmey’s 47,000 followers on Instagram get a near-daily glimpse into her life — hanging out in a bikini, doing yoga on the beach, and working out at home.

The most fulfilling part of her journey has been instilling self-confidence in her daughter. “One day, I told her, ‘Everyone says we look alike,'” says Kimmey. “She said, ‘Mom I don’t want to look like you — I want to look like me.’”

Happy Saturday babes!! Just wanted to tell you all that you are so worthy of love…and the best place to get it is from yourself. So get to know you and then just DO you, unapologetically and fearlessly! Xoxo Allie

A post shared by ???? ALLISON ???? Just Do You! ???????? (@allisonkimmey) on Feb 18, 2017 at 8:37am PST

Read more from Yahoo Beauty + Style:

• From Grace Kelly to Gigi Hadid, Intimate Portraits of Beautiful Stars
• Braces Can Be Beautiful. Here’s Proof.
• Fitness Blogger Posts Dramatic Transformation Showing the Impact of Social Media

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