The Fine Line Between Progress Pics and Porn

Yes folks, today’s post is a juicy one! And one I keep wanting to share but don’t. In fact, I originally wrote this more than a year ago. I wrote it, read it, paced across my apartment, re-read it and then filed my thoughts away because I didn’t want to start a big ruckus, piss people off or get accused of being a prude, hater or hypocrite.

But screw it! it’s important that I always maintain my integrity and be real. I was raised to keep my negative commentary to myself but recent controversial posts in a well-known vegan fitness group have been on my mind as of late and as we all know, I have no problems being a pot-stirer. Especially on my own damn blog. So here goes 🙂

The more I get wrapped up in the fitness lifestyle and the world of bikini competitions, the more I get annoyed with a certain behaviour that just seems to get worse and worse.

The butt “selfie” (otherwise known as the “belfie”) is sugar coated as a “progress pic” and deemed appropriate because it’s hashtagged with phrases like #hardwork or #glutesprogress. First let me say that I HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH ASS PICS! But sadly, a lot of belfies too often entail women literally wearing lace thong underwear, posting close-up photos of their BARE asses for all of the internet to see and for many dudes to use as nighttime “material” no doubt.

Now before I begin my little do-gooder rant, I know some of you will be saying “what a hypocrite. There are tons of scantily clad pictures of her all over the net.” And yes, I’d like to fully admit that as a bikini competitor myself, there are many pictures of me on stage in Brazilian-style bikini bottoms that anyone can find via a simple Google search. 

There are also photos of me from professional photo shoots, where again I’m dawning skimpy swimsuits that showcase my plant built “assets” (pun intended.)

In my defense, I am well-aware that I compete in a completely esthetics-based sport which requires us to showcase our bodies in the least amount of clothing possible. I can also state that I really do try my best to promote my endeavors (and progress) in the most professional “classy” way possible. Please see Exhibit B below 😉

I firmly believe, however, (as firm as my own gluteal parts are) that there is a fine line (or crack if you will) between a professional swimwear photo that displays a muscular physique and a bathroom mirror “selfie” in one’s lacy thong or g-string. This is where I see a big difference between “fitness photography” and borderline “soft porn.” And it’s precisely what gives us bikini competitors a bad name.

I know some of you disagree. And I encourage you to voice your opinion. Hell, I am a self-proclaimed exhibitionist and egomaniac myself. I’m damn proud of the body I have sculpted over the years, including my once flat arse which has now ballooned into a nice shelf I can drape my towel on. BUTT—I mean but—if you would not go to the beach and prance around in your underwear, then why are you publicly sharing photos of ’em, trying to pass it off as “progress?” Is it really that difficult to put on a pair of shorts or bikini bottoms?!

Be proud of your transformation! All the power to you. You SHOULD be proud! But you should also have enough respect for yourself to not want the entire universe to know what kind of “panties” you wear.

Are you looking for self-validation? An ego boost? More likes and followers? Because guess what? People will like you for being a fit, classy and respectable role model too. And believe me, we are well-aware of how nice your ass looks through yoga pants.

Maybe these girls don’t care what anyone thinks of them. But would they really want their dad, brother or grandpa to see these photos? What about their children or employer?

Whenever I’ve done a photo shoot, I’m always reminded of one of my own fitness heroes and inspirations: Jamie Eason. She was the first ever fitness model I discovered when I started lifting weights. I thought she was so strong and beautiful, I wanted to be just like her. I even copied her hairstyle.

For years, Jamie was the queen of almost-naked fitness modelling pics and they flooded the internet. Well guess what? She now regrets ALL of them.

An excerpt from one of her facebook posts reads “taking sexy photos may have made me popular but trust me, it attracted all sorts of misery into my life.” She also released this video post which for the record is quite religion-heavy (I am not) but really shows the pain she’s endured because of past fitness modelling choices.

Now this may be a bit extreme but Jamie Eason also speaks about how much she regrets being part of the “sex movement” that exists in the fitness industry, where men are becoming addicts like in the porn world. Apparently they look for fitness models to look at, because it’s more “accepted” but according to Eason, it’s no different. They are still addicts and says she is ashamed to have fueled that addiction.

A closer look at many of the fitness girls’ Instagram pages and you see belfies galore. And thousands of creepy, inappropriate comments from dudes on each and every one of them.

Call me a hater. Call me a prude. But at least call me a “self-respecting hater.” And I’ll save the bare-assed selfies for my boyfriend, thanks.

– Sam