In a time when the idea of the "perfect body" seems to be gracing the front page of every magazine and scrolling across every television screen, more and more women and men are fighting back to say that there is no such thing.
In fact, body positivity has truly begun to take hold in our society, with everything from photo shoots that feature plus-sized models showing off their curves to dolls that look more like real people.
And when it comes to showing that every body is absolutely beautiful in its own way, professional runner Stephanie Rothstein Bruce is paving the way with her honest words and straightforward photographs.
Rothstein Bruce is a mother of two who, as a professional athlete, takes fitness very seriously.
But she has taken to Instagram to share amazing pictures of her own body, in an effort to show that having children does take its toll on the body, and that stretch marks are not only natural, but beautiful as well.
Scroll through below to see how Rothstein Bruce is helping to redefine the words "perfect body," as she continues to embrace her love of fitness and her love of motherhood.
[H/T: Daily Mail]
Not only is Stephanie Rothstein Bruce a professional racer — who, according to the Daily Mail, is training for the 10,000-meter run in the Olympics — but she is the proud mother of two young boys as well.
And while Rothstein Bruce has received much attention for her work in the field of fitness, she has recently gained attention for the photographs she has been sharing on Instagram and on her blog.
Having recently given birth to her second son, she's been sharing photos of her body with the world, letting mothers everywhere know that stretch marks are actually a beautiful part of life.
Following her delivery, Rothstein Bruce suffered a separation in her abs known as diastasis recti, which left a space between her left abdominal muscles and her right abdominal muscles.
But rather than try to hide her postpartum body, Rothstein Bruce has been quite open in sharing photographs of herself.
Her dedication to fitness has also remained intact.
She posts on her blog, "Besides posting my postpartum belly with loose skin and stretch marks on social media, I'm trying to retrain my core muscles to work again."
Rothstein Bruce has decided to remain strong and rebuild any muscles that may have deteriorated or suffered as a result of carrying two babies.
She has found no shame at all in sharing her fitness photos — and tips — throughout her pregnancy, and in the time since.
She writes on Instagram, "When I look down, I see stretch marks that are here to stay, ab muscles that need continued strengthening, legs that are powerful, and feet that are ready to fly!"
Rothstein Bruce's revealing look into how a mother's body really can and should appear have inspired women and men around the world.
Her Instagram following is quite large with over 22,000 fans and followers!
Her beautiful spirit and honesty are showing people everywhere that fitness is about how you feel inside, not how you appear on the outside.
While her body adjusted to postpartum life, she focused on her Olympic training again, writing on Instagram, "I have a plan and I have the will. That's all you need, right?"
Juggling being a parent and a professional athlete would be daunting for anyone. But Rothstein Bruce's openness about the realities of childbirth are quite refreshing.
She writes, "It still looks like a hot mess, but the stability and strength is coming back to my core… Stretch marks are here to stay!"
In one of her more revealing posts, she writes, "I share this so moms and soon-to-be moms know you can still get back to your athletic self, have big goals, be a mom, have imperfections, don't be embarrassed by them, and have confidence in yourself."
Rothstein Bruce is truly helping to inspire people across the globe, especially mothers who should rest assured that every body is a beautiful body.
For more about Stephanie Rothstein Bruce, check out her website.
What do you think of her honest and important photos and words? Let us know in the comments.
Watch the video of her marathon training below, and please SHARE these body-positive sentiments with mothers everywhere!
