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Body honesty: The new social media trend

Healthy selfies are now a thing. Photo: Getty Images.

For years, social media streams have been jam-packed with pictures of the "perfect" woman. Her thighs didn't touch, she never broke out, and her boobs were large and in charge.

But now, interspersed between all of those enviable photos that make "real ladies" feel crappy about their own looks, are perfect women showing that they aren't so perfect. Or rather, that they're perfect as is. No blemish touchups. No fancy lighting. No skinny-arm poses.

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Model Chrissy Teigen recently posted a picture of her true-to-life thighs on Instagram. They're covered in bruises from bumping kitchen drawers. (We've all been there.) And guess what? They also have stretch marks! "Stretchies say hi!" she writes. Bravo.

Photo: Chrissy Teigen.

Women all over are sharing their photos with the hashtags #LoveYourLines and #TakeBackPostpartum.

Likewise, a selfie of blogger Rachel Hollis went viral last month when she posted it with a body-embracing caption:

Photo: Rachel Hollis

"These trends are great," says Australian behavioral psychologist Ivanka Prichard, who is currently studying how fitspiration images may actually discourage women from exercising by inviting unrealistic comparisons and ideals.

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"These trends in body honesty display the body in a natural way and highlight how functional the body can be. The female body is amazing and should be valued for so much more than just its appearance.

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Aiming to promote positive body image through these trends could help women around the world appreciate their bodies more.

Being able to value, respect, love, and accept your body is linked to greater confidence, happiness, and participation in health behaviors."