15 Body Positivity & Self-Love Accounts to Follow On Instagram

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Whether you're looking for a little more inspiration to celebrate your body or wanting a little more realness about self-love in your feed, these 14 accounts Instagram accounts definately deserve a follow.

I am TWO whole years self harm free (Thinking about the scars/looking at them was pretty triggering so I put stars over them to keep me occupied and to celebrate being free from it) . I have many destructive behaviours... many but self harm via cutting is something I don't turn to anymore and I'm a proud ass bitch. I learnt that I'll always have a need to get rid of strong emotions or to make my body feel something differently to the overwhelming feeling i have and it's about learning healthy ways of doing so. . Below are things can help instead of self harm for when times are tough/urges appear. Medication Scribbling down on paper Screaming into a pillow Running REAL fast somewhere Punching a pillow/sofa Stress balls Typing your thoughts out Running your hands under cold water Holding ice cubes Running ice cubes down your limbs Calling a loved one Speaking to a dr Telling yourself the urges will pass (Leave some of your own helpful tips in the comments below?) . Self harm isn't shameful. You're worthy of help, love and selfcare and there is no shame in asking them. ️

@selfloveclubb

Milly's account is all about mental health and chronic illness awareness, while also promoting self-love.  On her feed, you can expect plenty of reassuring words and different interpretations of what beauty looks like.

Let's talk tagged photos. How many times has seeing a picture of yourself that someone else took thrown you down the body hate rabbit hole? I remember a time when seeing 'your friend has tagged you in a new photo' would make my stomach hit the floor. I would drop everything and rush to untag it. The only version of myself I wanted people to see was the carefully selected, highly edited, what I believed to be the most 'flattering' (read: thin) version. I was so convinced THAT was the only version of my reflection worth seeing, and what other people thought of it, was everything. These pictures are both me. On the same day. In the same clothes. Neither one represents me more or less than the other. Neither one is better or worse. But I know that's hard to believe about yourself. I know that when you see a photo of yourself the first thing you do is zoom in on all the parts you believe aren't good enough. That's why we struggle with pictures taken of us while we're just living - we weren't able to minimize those parts in advance. But the next time, before you zoom in, I want you to try something. Zoom out. To the whole picture. I want you to remember what that photo was for. It wasn't for the cover of a magazine. You weren't expected to look like an airbrushed supermodel. It was taken to capture a moment. That's it. How your hair looked or the size of your body doesn't matter. Remember how you felt. Remember that sight, that smell, that feeling, that joy. Remember the living. Zoom out (swipe...) and you'll see that the whole picture tells a much more important story than how you looked. And that every version of you is worthy of being seen.

@bodyposipanda

Megan is the author of the bestselling book "Body Positive Power", which takes on the diet industry and helps readers work towards a place of freedom and confidence. This same vibe is reflected throughout her Instagram account, and Megan is refreshingly honest about her own struggles while still uplifting her audience.

🤗So I can finally tell you my huge announcement I've created my very own @Aerie x Iskra Chill Legging! With 100% of sales donated to @neda a cause close to my heart that supports those affected by eating disorders. Show your support & get your #SelfMade leggings now at Aerie.com Cant wait to see you all wearing them! They're only $15.95 - oh and I'd LOVE you to tag me in your pics with them or my #SparkXiskra perfume and self-care kits also on Aerie.com wanna start posting on my insta stories️ ILYSM let's celebrate being Self-Made HAPPY #IWD2018 #AeriePartner

@Iskra

Iskra is a model for Aerie, a brand which celebrates women's real, untouched bodies, and is also an ambassador for the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). Her gorgeous feed shares this journey shes on, along with plenty of awesome outfit inspiration.

@eteswimwear is doing a social campaign to spread awareness about eating disorders and they are donating 100% of the proceeds of these shirts to my favorite non-profit @projectheal ️ They asked me to share my thoughts on body positivity and the thing that came to mind was, I think it is sad that my bikini photo will get much more likes than the photo of me fully clothed with one of my favorite people on earth. I love the photos of my daughter and myself more than anything and I have to figure out how to raise her to know her body will always be valued more by society than her interests, talent, passion, kindness, and personality. But even so, I want her to believe she can value those aspects of who she is more than the shape or size of her body. We can like our bodies, treat them well, and wear what we want, but the reality is, if we want to be viewed as more than a body we can't continue to lead with them. This is a complex issue and that is why I think we should begin to speak about the sexualtion of self love and body positivity. When are we just being women who happen to have on a swimsuit, and when are we literally selling our bodies as a currency for love, validation, likes, followers, and money? And how can young girls tell the difference? It's a loaded conversation but one that should be had none the less. What are your thoughts? #healthyisthenewskinny #projectheal #realtalk

@katiehwillcox

Katie Willcox is the founder of Healthy is the New Skinny, a movement that honours authentic health and wellness and works to empower women. On her personal page, you can follow her journey as a speaker and mom looking to promote body positivity.

A few weeks ago, I made a story talking about how I feel less connected to the body positive community on insta. After talking to some of you and reflecting on it on my own, I realized a few things: 🦄 although I felt more disconnected in the Instagram community, I felt more connected, educated about and aligned with the movement in my real life- which, without a doubt, is more important. 🦄 I was taking up way too much space! Of course my young, thin, white, cishet, able-bodied half-covered ass was getting attention online. But none of it was in the name of true body positivity. My body isn't radical by any means- in most ways, I do fit society's beauty ideal. And sharing pictures of my body was doing nothing to change people's perception of beauty and size acceptance. 🦄 I would much rather share meaningful content (meaningful in the bigger picture of feminism/body politics/diet culture/regular politics) and get less likes than share problematic but well-liked posts. of course I am still here for body positivity! I will advocate for weight inclusivity and body acceptance until the day I die, I just don't have to share pictures of my body to do it. Does that mean I'll never share pictures of my body again? No. Context is important and I'm sure there will be times when sharing a photo of myself feels right but it's just not going to be the majority anymore (and hasn't been for awhile). And obviously, I'm still out here sharing selfies cause 🤷‍♀️ I like 'em. Anyway that's a long winded way of saying my account has changed over time and I'm so appreciative of y'all who are still here and engage with my posts and stories (even if I am terrible at responding sometimes ). Love you babes, happy Sunday!

@sundaesforthesoul

Meghan is an anti-diet dietitian who is all about intuitive eating and body acceptance. We love her feed for being completely encouraging and compassionate, but also real. 

There's no one type of body that does yoga 🧘‍♀️ The 'Yoga' sticker is on my store now . . . #pinkbits #art #illustration #design #feminist #pastel #green #sticker #yoga #health

@pink_bits

PinkBit's feed is filled with illustrations that celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of our bodies.

☝Hey--remember not everything you see & read on the internet, in magazines, or commercials or wherever is real. Remember that your body changes, my body changes, our bodies are soft & that's okay. That's SUPPOSED to happen. Our weight fluctuates & that's okay. · Know that the pictures of people you see & think "body goals", their bodies look different depending on how their standing, what they're wearing, what time of day it is, how much they've eaten, etc. · Your body's healthy weight might not be your "goal weight" or the size you think you look best at. But that means your body is not supposed to be that "GW" size. · Restrictive eating is NEVER okay. It's something I've struggled with my whole life. I still struggle with it now. 3.5 years ago I was diagnosed w/anorexia nervosa. For me it started with trying different diets, cutting our certain foods, escalating to eliminating entire food groups, etc. · Disordered eating is something that is too normalized in our society today. I've heard too often jokes about EDs, "I wish I was anorexic so I could lose weight", "Maybe I should throw up right now since I just ate so much". NO. EDs are NOT diets. They are not something you choose to have. They are serious, life-threatening & require professional treatment. · My heart ACHES for the people who see & follow social media accounts that promote restrictive eating, severe dieting, calorie counting, agressive exercise routines/plans, etc. · Living that way will not make you healthier, prettier, successful, accepted, etc. It is a direct set up for an ED, dangerous weight fluctuation, anxiety & depression. · When I see people who do not have eating disorders speak on what it is like or might be like to have an ED, & what people with EDs should do in order to recover--are you kidding me? Why speak on something you have no experience or understanding of? This is how rumors, inaccurate ideas & misconstrued information is spread. · If food controls your life, if you are afraid of food, afraid to gain weight, struggle with overeating, binge-eating, feeling helpless, out of control--PLEASE ASK FOR HELP. · Resources: @neda / @projectheal / @namicommunicate · ILY️

@_____halle__

Halle's Instagram feed focuses on self-love, eating disorder recovery, and yoga for every body. By following her account, you'll find regular inspiration and reaffirmation that your body is perfect the way it is.

"Healthy doesn't mean a salad. Healthy isn't a measure of weight. Being healthy involves your mind, spirit and heart, just as much as it involves your body. Each persons version of healthy is different. Sweets don't make you unhealthy, but sadness will." ≫ Apologize to your body, that's where the healing begins. #NEDAwareness #AerieReal #AerieSupports #FitFatAndAllThat #AeriePartner

@fitfatandallthat

Julia's feed is all about being self-confident and strong.  We love how she incorporates fitness and well-being in a way that feels authentic and is all about taking care of you.

TW: disordered eating and self harm. I remember in the photo on the left, I was deep into my eating disorder, and had begun a 4 day starvation. I would sit amongst my friends while they ate their lunch, and would say I 'wasn't feeling well' or was just 'not hungry'. I was starving. My self harm had turned bad, and I lived in long sleeves. I hoped one person would notice something was wrong, but at the same time I was terrified someone would find out about all my secrets. I was barely surviving. Fast forward years, and I am loving life. I am living again. I am thriving. I've gained weight yes, but I've gained more than that. I've gained hope, joy, friendship, love, recovery and LIFE. I still have tough days, I'm actually dealing with it now, but my coping methods have changed. I practise healthy methods; no more self harm, disordered eating and drinking. To anyone in the midst of their illness, to anyone who feels there is no way out, there is alway hope. You are stronger than you think, braver than you realise. You have battled through the toughest of storms, and I know you can take on anything. Take your time, when you're ready to talk, there are so many options for you to go through. Keep fighting angels. Recovery is so worth it. And boy, you are so worth recovery ️

@selfloveliv

Olivia is a mental health advocate and promoter of self-love. We're in love with her honestly, realness, and vulnerability.

I waltzed into a makeup store today and noticed that I didn't really need any of it. I looked in the mirror and felt empowered in this bare face. Now, I love makeup, but it's much different than the intense 'love' I used to have for it. As a high schooler, I'd risk being 2 hours late to make myself 'presentable.' a lot. I didn't actually even enjoy fixing my hair or painting my face. I did it to hide so much more than my outer self. I think I was just so afraid that people could see my ugliness I felt inside. I'd never heard anything about anxiety, depression, or eating disorders. Turns out, I was going through all of it. Without knowing that I wasn't a 'weird, messed up person,' I hid it all and thought changing my appearance would help everything beneath become healed and beautiful, too. But your inner battles DO make you beautiful. Once I accepted them, they've helped me grow stronger and closer to myself. We are messy, wonderful beings, inside and out. Try to let yourself REALLY see yourself from time to time. it's a cute moment🤗

@_kellyu

Kelly is a recovery warrior who regularly vlogs about her journey on YouTube.  Her Instagram feed always is always gently uplifting and somehow always says what you need to hear.

Have you ever felt horrible in your own skin? Have you ever looked at your life and felt lost and alone? Have you ever compared yourself to every airbrushed or #bodygoals picture you come across? Have you ever felt like you'll never be good enough? ....... yeah? I know how you feel! This has been my life on and off for years! After recovering from my eating disorder I've felt better but It hasn't gone away! - I have days when I think I'm beautiful and then days where I can't shower for fear of seeing myself - I have days where instagram makes me doubt my worth over stupid numbers and then I have days where I couldn't care less! I have days where the future is so exciting and days where I just stay in bed because I don't want to face it. - I have days where all I want is a 10 course meal with ALL the trimmings and days where using oil in cooking brings me to tears. I have days where I spit on all diet culture and days where I slip back in! And when I'm having those bad days I think to myself..... I AM AN IMPERFECT HUMAN! I'm not a bad person. I'm a good person that bad things have happened to and I'm still recovering! And recovery is not linear it has its highs and lows. It has victory's and relapses. It has smile and tears. You just have to keep putting one foot in-front of the other and it'll all be ok! - WE ARE ALL IMPERFECT HUMANS AND THATS MORE THAN OK!!!! - #positivebeatsperfect #nonairbrushedme

@my_life_without_ana

Connie is an eating disorder warrior who spreads messages of self-love and appreciating every body. Her posts are always honest and reinforce the beauty of imperfections.

Sorry Beyoncé, but we're keepin' it real. We're NOT flawless because flaws are a part of being human. No one woke up like this (that Instagram perfect "bed head" and natural look) not me at least. Don't compare your behind the scenes to someone else's highlight real. ‍♀️ - - - #recovery #ididnotwakeuplikethis #flawedandfabulous #myflawsarefierce

@betteringbecca

Becca's Instagram account focuses on body acceptance and mental health recovery.  We love her feed for all those wonderful, reassuring quotes and her amazing words on loving your body.

The Body Positive movement is a political movement that was created to shine the spotlight onto marginalized bodies - people of color, LGBT, disabled, fat, etc. - because they are not well represented in the media. While I am a person of much privilege, I partake in this movement as an ally to other marginalized people, as well as for myself. Being fat in this world that praises thinness and enforces diet culture leaves me feeling like an outcast very often. I wanted to share this today because Body Positivity has taught me that "flattering" doesn't matter. I love plus size fashion, such as the peplum top pictured on the left. Peplum tops have an overlay of fabric to cover up your stomach. I personally love the sophisticated look of peplums. However, three years ago, I bought 8 peplum tops solely because I wanted more clothing choices in my wardrobe that would hide my stomach. I felt like such an eyesore compared to every thin person I walked past in public in my every day life. I discovered the Body Positive movement shortly after those clothing purchases, and to my surprise, I saw photos of women my size doing the exact opposite of what I thought I had to do. Society tells us fat people to cover up. We're told to wear "flattering" clothes. We're told to wear shapewear to "smooth everything out". We're told not to wear tight dresses, bikinis or crop tops. For quite some time, I followed the rules because I didn't want to be shamed. What I've learned though is that by hiding my body, I wasn't fully living. Upon seeing countless breathtaking photos of people in the online Body Positive community unapologetically living life despite their fat rolls, double chins, cellulite, stretch marks, etc. being visible to the world, I felt inspired to celebrate my body along with them. Now that I choose to no longer hide who I am, I feel like I can finally breathe. I encourage my fellow plus size women to wear articles of clothing because you want to, not because you feel like you have to. You may be fat and love peplum tops, shapewear, one-piece swimsuits, etc. You may be fat and feel confined by those options. The point is that what you wear is your choice.

@lexiemanion

Lexie is a body positive activist and mental health advocate.  She's also the founder of #BoycottTheBefore, a hashtag that is dedicated to showing you're so much more than a "Before" photo. Her feed is full of these photos, as well as meaningful quotes and her own thoughts on body positivity.

Eating only "approved" foods will not, and cannot, shift disordered eating patterns. It is possible to binge and compulsively eat regardless of whether you're "eating clean", adhering strictly to a vegan diet, following paleo, or "eating healthy." Fact: all of the clients currently on my roster were following one of the above before being diagnosed with an ED. As someone who once binged on granola and bananas, I can tell you it doesn't feel any better than bingeing on something off-limits. You deserve to trust yourself around food. You deserve to trust yourself. You deserve freedom with ALL foods. You deserve freedom.

@sarahbnutrition

Sarah is an intuitive eating counselor who focuses on having a healthy relationship with food and practicing self-love. We love her feed for her truth and affirmations about food and dieting. 

"I wish my stomach was flat like hers," I thought to myself as I scrolled past yet another Instagram model whose body fits the current beauty standard. . . Meanwhile I'm sitting at home in my shorts and crop top pinching at my rolls and cellulite, feeling insecure about my body even when I'm by myself. . . And then I thought "how come fat in certain places is considered okay (boobs, butt, hips, etc) but in other places is called gross?"🤔 . . The current beauty standards are inconsistent, incongruent, and simply DUMB . . If society gets to pick & choose it's ridiculous beauty ideals then we should be able to decide which of them to follow, right?! . . Unfortunately, it's so hard to do this unless you're constantly reminding yourself that you're more than your body and even though Sally on Instagram is beautiful, you are too . . I had to remind myself of this today and I'm here to remind you too ️ . . Every time you choose to love yourself the way you are, you give others permission to do the same So let's fight the stupid beauty standard together, shall we? 🤗 #selflove

@maryscupofteaa

Mary's feed shares her journey and transformation of recovering from an eating disorder, finding food freedom, and challenging society's thoughts about what beauty looks like.  We're also in love with her words and poetry!

 

 

 

 

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