How Demi Lovato Is Shattering Unrealistic Body Standards For Women

It’s no secret that Demi Lovato has struggled with her body image, with a public eating disorder battle and a stint in rehab in her past. But that was then. Now, Lovato, who recently turned 25, is happier and healthier than ever, she says—and she’s taking that positivity to the design room, with a second collection for Demi Lovato for Fabletics, her activewear collaboration with Kate Hudson.

And while Lovato’s Fabletics line—which was born out of a chance meeting with Hudson at (appropriately enough) the gym—features standout pieces like criss-cross-banded leggings and mesh hoodies, what she’s most proud of is her collection’s take on body positivity. The line, which Lovato also said people can wear “at any age and still look cute,” ranges in sizes from XS to 3X.

Photo: Fabletics

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“We live in a day and age where everybody is different,” says Lovato. “We all have different body types, different shapes and sizes, and it’s important not to exclude anybody.” Body inclusivity is something Lovato knew she wanted to champion early on, after growing up around thinner body types in the media and noticing how that affected her as a kid.

“It’s important to teach girls body positivity at a young age,” Lovato says. “I remember being very little and having body image issues. I remember thinking that I was supposed to look a certain way.”

We all have different body types, different shapes and sizes, and it’s important not to exclude anybody.

Given her experience, Lovato was careful not to perpetuate the same body standards she saw growing up. As for how body diversity has progressed since she was younger, Lovato admits, “We’ve come a long way,” with people becoming more aware of the need for diversity to be featured prominently in the public eye.

Photo: Fabletics

“There are tons of different body shapes and sizes all over the world. I wish I had seen that when I was younger. Had it been more prominent then, I might not have had body image issues at a young age,” Lovato says. “When you see all different shapes and sizes, you’re able to look at yourself and know that you’re unique and beautiful the way you are.”

No matter what society says, the skin that you’re in is completely enough and beautiful.

Photo: Fabletics

However, Lovato’s journey to learn to love her body hasn’t been easy. While she’s become confident in her curves, Lovato continued to have insecurities with her stomach, a body part she usually covered up with high-waisted clothing. “Whenever you think of what you should like, people think of the stomach,” Lovato says. “I’d never shown my belly button that much just because I feel very vulnerable when I do.”

It was only recently, when Lovato took a picture of her stomach and posted it to Instagram, that she started to embrace the body part. The photo has since racked up 2 million likes and hundreds of comments praising Lovato for opening up about her insecurities.

Source: Instagram

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“When I took that picture, I felt really confident. I was like, ‘I want to share with the world how I feel right now,’” Lovato says. “I posted it and I felt great. I’m putting my physical and mental health before everything in my life. It’s paying off.”

And though Lovato has seen physical results from her newfound obsession with fitness, something she fell in love with two and a half years ago after “feeling sick and lazy all the time,” she believes, first and foremost, working out is about health. “I have a nutritionist named Dan Leith and we always talk about how we eat and the way we train is about being healthy, and physical results are just a side effect,” Lovato says.

Source: Instagram

Your best bikini body is the body that you have right now.

Though Lovato admits she still has insecurities with her body, she’s learning to feel more comfortable with seeing them as assets rather than flaws. “Everybody deals with body image issues and insecurities. I do everything in my power to take care of myself and that’s all I can do,” Lovato says. “When I do have an insecurity, I just think to myself, ‘You know what? I’m doing what I can and if things aren’t changing, then it’s a flaw that is supposed to be there, which makes it not a flaw anymore.’”

Photo: Fabletics

If things aren’t changing, then it’s a flaw that is supposed to be there, which makes it not a flaw anymore.

As summer nears its final days, Lovato had this to say to her fans who have yet to step out in a swimsuit because of body insecurities: “Your best bikini body is the body that you have right now,” Lovato says. “No matter what society says, the skin that you’re in is completely enough and beautiful.”