Side effects of reading Brittany’s book may include laughing uncontrollably, writing her a fan letter, and (finally) dealing with your body confidence issues.

Blogger and body advocate Brittany Gibbons calls herself the “internet’s token fat girl,” and her popularity is no mystery: She’s turned the trials and tribulations of being not-so-comfortable with her body into a war cry, encouraging women everywhere to stop treating themselves—and other women—like shit for how they look.

Her book, “Fat Girl Walking“, is a candid and unapologetic memoir that takes you through her childhood, adolescence, college years, and present life, and her incessant body image issues as she fought against the “fat girl” stereotype.

There are several things that make this book so compelling:

1. It’s hysterical

I don’t recommend reading this book in public, especially if you’re prone to snorting when you laugh (unless of course you’re one of those rare unicorns who enjoys being stared at). Gibbons is effing hilarious. Every page contains a hardcore, laugh-out-loud moment that will make you feel like you’re about to throw up. Every. Single. Page.

2. It’s real

But Gibbons isn’t pulling a Chandler Bing: She doesn’t use humor as a way to hide how uncomfortable she is. She uses it to embrace her quirks, even flaunt them. Her book isn’t one of those obnoxious self-help books that offer you cheesy, pukey, paint-by-number solutions to your body confidence issues: In completely being herself and baring it all (sometimes literally), she leads by example, which makes you want to do the same.

3. It’s relatable

Reading “Fat Girl Walking” is like having permission to read Gibbons’ diary. The book is TMI in the best way possible (like the time she taped her vagina shut with Scotch tape, and the time she attempted to have a lesbian experience at summer camp). You end up reminiscing about your own mortifying, pre-pubescent experiences, and you find they’ve now become fond memories.

4. It’s comforting

Gibbons’ book makes you realize that being a mess is way better than trying to morph yourself into a femme bot. We all struggle with something, whether it’s body confidence or not, and her hilarious-yet-poignant tales are like comfort food for your emotions. You’ll feel inspired to unlock the proverbial shackles and live your life on your own terms.

“Fat Girl Walking” is an everygirl’s guide to body confidence, and rocking the tiny quirks that add up to make you whole. By the time you’re done reading, not only will Gibbons go to the top of your girl crush list, but you’ll feel ready to let go of the impossible standards you set for yourself and love exactly who you are, right this very second—cellulite and all.

Related on EcoSalon

7 Reasons Why Women Lack Confidence (and What to Do About It)

Can We Please Stop Talking About How to ‘Fix’ Sagging Breasts?

Selfie Made: Is Looking Better on Instagram Than in Real Life Worth It?

The post Brittany Gibbons’ ‘Fat Girl Walking’ Promotes Body Confidence and Owning Your Quirks appeared first on EcoSalon.

Body image quotes from the women who know best.

If there’s one thing celebs know, it’s dealing with incessant criticism. With the 24/7 buzz these ladies receive, consider them the grand poobahs of dealing with—and dare we say conquering—body image issues.

Below, 17 refreshing body image quotes to bookmark for a rainy day (in front of the mirror):

1. “I personally battled with my own body image for years. I used to tell myself, ‘You can’t wear anything sleeveless or strapless.’ And all of a sudden I was like, ‘What if I just didn’t send such negative messages to my brain and said, wear it and enjoy it?’ And now I’m more comfortable in clothes than ever.” -Drew Barrymore
2. “Instead of looking in the mirror and focusing on your flaws, look in the mirror and appreciate your best features. Everyone has them.” -Demi Lovato
3. “For young women, I would say, don’t worry so much about your weight. Girls spend way too much time thinking about that, and there are better things. For young men, and women too, what makes you different or weird, that’s your strength. Everyone tries to look a cookie-cutter kind of way, and actually the people who look different are the ones who get picked up. I used to hate my nose. Now, I don’t.” -Meryl Streep
4. “There’s a whole list of things I would probably change about myself. For example, I’m always trying to lose fifteen pounds. But I never need to be skinny. I don’t want to be skinny. I’m constantly in a state of self-improvement, but I don’t beat myself up over it.” -Mindy Kaling
   
5. “I keep telling myself that I’m a human being, an imperfect human being who’s not made to look like a doll, and that who I am as a person is more important than whether at that moment I have a nice figure.” -Emma Watson
6. “I am not a sample size, and I’m okay with that.” -Jordin Sparks
7. “You’re a human being, you live once, and life is wonderful, so eat the damn red velvet cupcake.” -Emma Stone
8. “My fears came true: People called me fat and hideous, and I lived. And now I keep living.” -Lena Dunham
9. “Even I don’t wake up looking like Cindy Crawford.” -Cindy Crawford
10. “I’ve never had a problem with the way I look. I’d rather go for lunch with my friends than go to a gym.” -Adele
11. “If anybody even tries to whisper the word ‘diet,’ I’m like, ‘You can go fuck yourself.'” -Jennifer Lawrence
12. “To all girls with butts, boobs, hips and a waist, put on a bikini—put it on and stay strong.” -Jennifer Love Hewitt
13. “I think that whatever size or shape body you have, it’s important to embrace it and get down! The female body is something that’s so beautiful. I wish women would be proud of their bodies and not dis other women for being proud of theirs!” -Christina Aguilera
14. “You have to stand up and say, ‘There’s nothing wrong with me or my shape or who I am; you’re the one with the problem!'” -Jennifer Lopez
15. “I tried being anorexic for four hours… then I was like, ‘I need some bagels.'” -Kat Dennings
16. “People often say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I say the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing you are the beholder.” -Salma Hayek
17. “Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.” -Marilyn Monroe

What are your favorite body image quotes?

Related on EcoSalon

20 Funny Shopping Quotes That Are Oh-So-True

30 Commitment Quotes to Supercharge Your Life

32 Inspiring Quotes to Channel Your Inner Weirdo

Mirror image via Shutterstock

The post 17 Fierce Body Image Quotes from Your Favorite Stars appeared first on EcoSalon.