A body positive star has taken to her Instagram page to show off her "weight gain".
Bella Davis is known for her self-love posts – and this time, she told her 184,000 followers that it's normal to become heavier as you get older.
The Australian influencer shared photos of her "weight gain" as she told fans they haven't "failed" if they've piled on a few pounds.
This included side-by-side pictures of herself in swimwear.
On the left-hand side, Bella was seen sporting a trimmer figure as she posed in an orange and cream bikini set.
While the right-hand photo, taken recently, saw her rock a curvier look as she wore a black bikini.
The influencer was seen smiling confidently in both as she flaunted her body.
Bella also shared naked snaps taken from above to show off her stomach.
Captioning the post, Bella said although she's sometimes struggled to accept her "weight gain", she's now realised how normal it is.
She wrote: "My body is softer, heavier, squishier than it used to be.
"My clothes are fitting tighter. My face is rounder, and my arms are squishier.
"Although I know it’s normal to gain weight, I cannot shake the feeling that I currently feel like a stranger in my body.
"I’ve been trying to show my body love, but it feels forced. Unnatural.
"I trace over my naked body, noticing new stretch marks on my stomach. A sense of shame overwhelms me as society made me believe that stretch marks are a flaw.
"But then I remember that they aren’t a flaw but I gave a reminder of my body's growth, and I am able to see the beauty within my stretch marks, even if it’s just for a second."
She continued: "I then rest my hand on my tummy and notice how it sticks out, blocking the view of my vulva and thighs.
"This body is different to the one I used to live in. It’s grown, evolved and changed.
"I'd be a liar if I said every day I love her because I don’t. But that’s okay because I don’t need to.
"But I do need to appreciate her. For protecting me. For nurturing me. For supporting me. I have to be kind to her, for when she’s feeling guilty for eating that second bowl of pasta or when a pair of new pants don’t fit.
"Remind her that she is so much more than the fat on her stomach and the cellulite surrounding her legs.
"Reassure her that she is not unlovable, unworthy or unattractive because she gained weight and that she doesn’t need a reason for her weight gain. That’s enough. That’s all she wants, appreciation and kindness, and that’s all I have to give right now."
Bella concluded: "You haven’t failed if you’ve gained weight. It's normal to gain weight. It’s natural for your body to change.
"Try focusing on the things your body can do instead of what it looks like.
"Acknowledge your privilege of having a body that allows you to move and keeps you alive. I know gaining weight can be difficult to navigate, so try to be kind to yourself and remember you aren’t a failure for gaining weight."
Fans praised the star for her honest post, as one told her: "Thank you queen! I feel like you wrote that for me! Needed to read this today."
While another added: "Such an important message, you're amazing girly. Success isn't size."
A third chimed in: "Actually my fave person on Instagram. Thank you."
The post comes after Bella recently was seen eating cake in her underwear, as she told fans "you don't need to earn food".
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