After Facing Body-Shaming Comments, Ashley Graham Shares the Real Reason She Works Out

The model’s words will give you a whole new perspective on hitting the gym.

Sometimes it can feel like the only fitness goals out there are A) losing weight and B) gaining muscle. But that couldn’t be further from the truth, and Ashley Graham wants you to know it! The model is known for proudly loving her curves — which is great — but when she hits the gym, she actually finds herself being body-shamed.

“EVERYTIME after I post a workout video I get comments like…’You’ll never be skinny, so stop trying,’ ‘Don’t workout too hard, you’ll get skinny,’ ‘You still need your fat to be a model,’ ‘Why would you want to lose what made you famous,’” Ashley posted on her Instagram story.

Nobody should feel like they need to justify a gym sesh to others, but Ashley decided to respond in order to highlight all the other wonderful ways working out helps her.

“Just for the record — I workout to: stay healthy, feel good, get rid of jet lag, clear my head, show big girls we can move like the rest of em, stay flexible & strong, have more energy,” she shared. “I don’t workout to lose weight or my curves, bc I love the skin I’m in.”

Here’s Ashley’s latest fitness video (which started all the commenting, but really should be offering up major gym inspiration!):

And here’s the model’s fierce response to all the haters:

Her message is so important to remember!

Written by Kristine Hope Kowalski