Brooke Shields is a woman that you would assume would have no trouble feeling confident on the beach, however, the actress has revealed that she only just started wearing a bikini, aged 53 – and the reason for it is so empowering. Shields says she wanted to set a good example for her daughter.
"We all have different body types and we spend so much of our time comparing ourselves to others," Shields wrote in a personal essay she penned for Instyle. "But I've found if you look at your individual physiological structure and play up the strong points, it's empowering. It's not in my DNA to be waif-like, so I ask, 'What do I have?' and then highlight that."
Shields said that she was never particularly concerned with being in shape when she became famous (as she was only 15 and "hadn't developed yet"), but when she started working out later, it was all about high-impact cardio: "The more I'd sweat, the better I thought I had exercised."
The actress went on to explain that she has changed her mindset only in the past year.
"Only recently, while meeting with a trainer in preparation for knee surgery, have I become fully cognisant of how to strengthen my muscles. That's why I was so proud to post those bikini pictures on Instagram: I had worked so hard!"
And in feeling stronger and more confident, she has been able to pass this positive message down to her daughter.
"I used to wear these bathing suits that practically came to my knees. My oldest daughter would say, 'That makes you look so big and uncomfortable.' I realised I had to be confident in my skin to set the right example for her."
