Do you feel a little bad when you see perfect photos on Instagram? Wet, but neat hair. Flat stomach, despite a pasta dinner. Smooth thighs that reflect the light like body oil commercials. Us too. But then comes Aulona Musta – who never leaves a day without hitting the gym – and reminds us that vacations are not just for photoshoots.
In a recent Instagram post, Aulona posted some photos of herself on the beach that, let's say, "weren't taken" for Instagram's explore page . One where she's sitting and her belly is visible. Another where the cellulite on her thighs is clearly visible. And another where some acne is visible on her face without make-up. And then, she writes:
"This is also the beach. Not just the one with the perfect poses, the flowing hair, and the magical light that makes you look like a star. But also this one, with hair disheveled by the wind and salt, with a face without make-up where acne is visible, with a bloated belly when you've eaten too much and cellulite freely standing out in the sunlight and every 'imperfection' that we rarely dare to share."
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And if you thought this was an excuse for bad days, no. It was a statement. A reminder that the “summer body” doesn't have a single shape. In fact, there are many shapes, not filtered to fit the usual social media standard.
"Because this is what life looks like. This is what vacations look like. This is what a woman enjoys the moment without the stress of being 'perfect.'"
Now, let's pause for a second. This is coming from a woman we know has been working out for years, taking good care of her body, and promoting an active lifestyle. So when someone who is committed to fitness, healthy eating, and an active lifestyle decides to bluntly say that "a fit body still has a bloated belly and cellulite," maybe we should listen more carefully.
At the end of the post, she writes:
"These photos not only can be posted, but should be posted. So that girls and women can learn to feel comfortable in their real bodies, not just the curated version that Instagram wants. Because when we start sharing this side of the coin, we give each other permission to be ourselves. And that's true power - not being afraid to be yourself with every imperfection."
And honestly? Aulona is absolutely right. Not every day is about fitting into a filter, sometimes it's just about living. To eat a little more lunch, to enjoy the warm sun, and not to fix your stomach with photoshop.
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