Brisbane mum Julie Cross has caused an internet sensation after a swimwear photo she posted on Facebook has garnered more than 128,000 likes and 2,700 shares in less than 24 hours.
The 46-year-old mother-of-two explains she was prompted to share a bikini snap of herself after she overheard a group of young people making snarky remarks about her swimming attire at the beach.
Julie, who describes herself as having “child bearing hips and stretch marks”, captioned the happy snap with some heartfelt pearls of body warrior wisdom:
“I thought long and hard about this post. The other day at the beach I walked past a group of young people in my bikini, and I heard a comment… ‘I think she is over the bikini!’… And I faltered for a moment and then went on. So this is me walking my talk… My name is Julie Cross, I am 46 years old, I am a size 10 on a good day, a size up on other days, but I don’t look at the size anymore, I just buy clothes that feel comfortable, I have child bearing hips and stretch marks on my tummy that I am proud of because I carried two beautiful big 9 pound healthy baby boys, I have cellulite from my knees up, it has been there since I was 3 and cute, I am healthy, strong, proud and happy… And you are invited to feel the same! And if I come your way and you don’t like what you see then move away… And sisters, now is the time to start looking after each other!!”
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Since posting the picture Julie’s Facebook has been inundated with messages of support. PHOTO: Facebook.
After the overwhelming online response Julie once again took to social media on Sunday to say she was “surprised” by the reaction, but she did admit one user had reported the image to Facebook for “nudity”.
In the follow up post Julie, who works as a motivational speaker, said that “body image is still such an ‘issue’ for us Aussie women” and offered some advice on how to battle body demons.
“It takes discipline to catch your thoughts and remind yourself you don’t have to buy into that fear, we are all miracles and we are all enough,” wrote Julie.
“Everybody looked at you as a baby in awe,” she continued, “and that is how we should all still look at each other, I mean we just grew up is all!
“And we looked at ourselves with love, that is what I believe, we need to remember and practice again.”
Bravo Julie! Bravo!
