'Tis the season to be body-conscious. Seriously — despite our best efforts, the weather getting colder often makes us more prone to nitpick the way we look. It's hard to remember that bodies come in all shapes and sizes. It's even harder when we're surrounded by supermodels on television and on Instagram. That's why people like Gayle King are important right now.
Gayle may be known best as being Oprah's BFF, but she's got quite an impressive résumé just by herself. The story of the two is actually quite endearing — they met in Baltimore back in the 1970s, when they were both getting their start in journalism. Since then, Oprah has become a household name, and Gayle scored the gig of chief anchor for CBS News.
On the air, Oprah has always struggled with her weight, especially since she has such a busy schedule. Despite looking fantastic and having her size not impact her career, she's invested in Weight Watchers — now known as WW — and is one of its ambassadors. Gayle also knows that age sometimes affects the way your body looks. It's natural and happens to everyone.
That's why she posted some absolutely stunning bathing suit photos on Instagram. While on vacation, she tried to channel her “fav niece,” Mackenzye Schwab, who had posted similar photos. Without a doubt, Gayle nailed it.
"Swipe left for celebration of cellulite cottage cheese thighs…happy to report no photoshopping allowed!" Gayle wrote on Instagram. In the picture, she is posed almost identically to her niece. Both women have bright smiles.
In fact, plenty of Gayle's followers think that Gayle's pose was better than Mackenzye's. "Sorry @mknzschwb but Auntie Gayle might’ve outposed you this time around ," wrote Arianna Davis, the digital director of O Magazine.
Gayle is proof that women can go out there and be their best selves at any age. She's 64, but she's channeling the energy of a 20-year-old. This may be one of her most stunning photos yet.
Her photo is also a good reminder that the way we see ourselves is often different from what the rest of the world sees. She made a point to mention her "cottage cheese thighs," but they look nothing of the sort. Still, it's often hard to change self-perspective.
Women are often quick to point out flaws since they're afraid someone else may point them out first. It's especially hard when you choose to put yourself out there on Instagram. When you're in the public eye, some commenters think it's OK to bully.
Actress Kate Beckinsale just went through something similar. The 46-year-old posted a bunch of beautiful bikini photos online, and someone went out of their way to tell her that she's too old to do that. Kate, not afraid to step out and make an example out of someone, reacted perfectly.
The troll likely didn't think that Kate would personally respond to them. But they probably posted the hatred based on their own insecurity. Kate Beckinsale's photos weren't hurting anyone, and it's amazing that she's still flaunting her figure in her 40s.
That said, Gayle King shouldn't feel the need to self-criticize. Nor should any woman. If anyone were to comment negatively, it's likely due to the fact that they wish they had the confidence to embrace their bodies the way that these two women have.
By "cottage cheese thighs," Gayle was likely talking about cellulite. It's something most women have. Medical News Today states that between 80% and 90% of women have at least a little bit of cellulite. So really, it should be something that's a nonissue.
Aside from body image, let's talk about this type of photo challenge. According to People, Gayle and her niece started it last year. The pair have posted three seemingly identically posed photos.
In the series of photos, the pair can be seen lounging in a hammock, posing against a tilted tree, and sitting on a rock. Both women look so happy in their element. It's not like you needed any more reasons to want to go on vacation with Gayle and her family, but the fact that they have a ton of fun is a big one.
Gayle is all about family. In February, she celebrated her daughter's engagement with a very sweet group photo. Kirby Bumpus is Gayle's daughter with her ex-husband, William Bumpus. They were married from 1982 to 1993.
Funny enough, it seems like Gayle posted news of the engagement way before Kirby. She got her own hashtag on Kirby's account, of #PleaseTellMeHowMyMommaPostedBeforeIDid . Since it was her last Instagram post, it's apparent she doesn't use the site as much as her mom.
Without a doubt, Gayle taught Kirby how to be a strong and confident woman. Every member of Gayle's family is lucky to have her. And that includes Oprah, too — since everyone knows that friends are the family you get to choose.
