10 Body Positive Instagram Accounts to Follow this Summer
As summer approaches, you may find it difficult to own your confidence in your body. If you feel uncomfortable in your own skin, you are not alone. Everyone deserves to feel empowered. Body positivity belongs not to one group of people but to everyone, it is an all-encompassing movement to conquer life with confidence.
Finding confidence doesn’t happen overnight — and despite reports that Instagram can be harmful to your mental health — following the right accounts and using strategies mindful of your mental health can make your feed a source of positivity. Here are 10 Instagram accounts to follow for body positive inspiration.
1. Loey Lane
Loey Lane is a body-positive YouTuber who maintains a strong presence on other social media platforms, especially Instagram. She openly discusses her own mental health, including her experience of grief after losing her father. Lane consistently encourages others to love themselves.
2. Nourish and Eat
A few years ago, I never would have tried on these dresses. I would have seen them on the rack and loved them from afar, but never brought them into the dressing room with me. ❌ Bright patterns scared me. They drew attention. Made people look. And that was the last thing I wanted. ???? For those of you who followed along with me on my stories (which is why this photo only has the captions on it, whooops), I went out of my comfort zone shopping for a dress for an upcoming event. A FANCY event. Where people would not only be looking at me, but I’d also be making connections and TALKING to people. (Hello anxiety, my old friend.) And when I saw these dresses, with their gorgeous bright and attention-grabbing patterns, my first thought was “beautiful, but not for me.” BUT TO HELL WITH THAT. Why shouldn’t I try something on? Why can’t I wear something I love? ✨ Our bodies are made out of stardust. They’re actual, literal miracles. The fact that we’re here, right now, trying our best and just EXISTING is a beautiful thing. The world is so much greater than worrying about the shape of our arms in a sleeveless dress, or the number on the tag, or what other people think of us when we walk in a room. ✨✨✨ YOU ARE MAGIC no matter what you put on your body. Regardless of if the clothes fit or don’t fit. Plain or brightly colored. Covered or exposed. You are a miracle of the universe. ???? (PS – the dress I ended up choosing? is BRIGHT RED. No hiding this time for me. ????????) #youaremagic #dressingroomwarrior #wearwhatyouwant
Gina Susanna uses her account to promote body positivity and recovery from eating disorders. Susanna has been featured in Teen Vogue for dealing with weight gain and encourages her Instagram followers to “embrace the squish.” Susanna is often featured, as well as friends and uplifting text images.
3. Positivity Poppa
Rishi Bhaskara advocates for male body positivity, mental and physical health and feminism. He also fundraises for organizations during the half and full marathons he runs. His most recent marathon was run for Beat, an eating disorder charity in the U.K.
4. Gutless and Glamorous
Spring Break Vibes….????☀???? #gutlessandglamorous #ostomy #Spring #Springbreak #melaninpoppin #melanin #OstomyAwareness #Awareness #sunsoutbunsout #SpeakBeautiful #tbt #emilygiffin #FirstComesLove #RealBeauty #blackslayingit @dove #covergirlmade
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Gaylyn Henderson uses her social media presence to fight Crohn’s disease stigmas as well as provide education, empowerment, and awareness for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). “People may stare, that’s OK. I’ve learned people are either genuinely curious or genuinely inspired,” Henderson told The Mighty. “Curious of what may have caused the scars I have. Inspired because I have the courage to be all that I am regardless of what others may think.”
5. Chronically Carmel
Day 27 ????What you hate most about Lyme ????herxing ????A Herxheimer reaction or Herx for short ????is something that happens when you treat Lyme Disease ????it can be a sign that treatment is working ????????when the bacteria dies off it realises toxins into the body and it really hurts!! ????it causes the Lyme patient to enter a debilitating physical and mental state ????????it can last from a couple hours to a couple weeks ????if it’s not handled properly it can cause a fair bit of damage or even death if it’s really severe ????detoxing is something that really helps ????I have to do it regularly because I have MTHFR as well ????????(a gene mutation to impairs the body’s ability to detox) ????????when I start treatment in a couple weeks there’s gonna some intense herxing ????and I’m pretty nervous ???? but ready ✅and ready to share the journey with you all ????????photo: went to the movies today, we saw Dead Men Tell No Tales ???? ☠????
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Carmel lives with IBS, fibromyalgia, migraines and Lyme disease. She is open and honest about her experiences and acknowledges how difficult it can be to love your body when you have a chronic illness. Nevertheless, she takes the time to explain and educate, all while maintaining a positive attitude.
6. Marcela Ilustra
Marcela Sabiá is a Brazilian illustrator who advocates for mental health, self-love and body positivity. Her drawings range from loving your own smile to remembering it’s OK not to be OK.
7. Madeline’s Modelling
Happy World Down Syndrome day from Mexico #BreakingTheMouldTour #downsyndrome #inclusion #holiday
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Madeline Stuart is a young woman with Down syndrome who has modeled for magazines, fashion shows and news networks. From a young age, Stuart was determined to be a model and make the fashion industry a place of empowerment and inclusiveness for all. “Maddy just likes to show people that if they believe in themselves they are capable of anything,” Madeline’s mother, Roseann Stuart, opreviously told The Mighty. “To never give up or doubt yourself.”
8. Winnie Harlow
Winnie Harlow is a model who made her fame on “America’s Next Top Model” in 2014. Harlow lives with vitiligo, a chronic skin condition characterized by depigmentation of portions of the skin. After being bullied due to her condition, she struggled with mental illness and contemplated suicide. However, she strove for success and is now a world-renowned model.
9. Mama Caxx
Flashback to last fall when I ditched my leg so I could wear 4 inch heel ???? #mamacax _____________________________________
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Mama Caxx is a Haitian-American blogger and is an amputee, advocate and motivational speaker. She uses her social media platforms to talk about body positivity and dismantle notions of what people with disabilities “ought” to look or act like. In September 2016, she was invited to the White House to walk in the first ever White House Fashion Show, celebrating inclusive design.
10. Invisible Body Disabilities
The work of Chiara DeMarchi, this account proudly dubs itself as a collection of encouraging stories and images of people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Individuals are often featured as well as families — demonstrating support, validation and love. While this account is published in Italian, these powerful pictures speak for themselves.
Follow Invisible Body Disabilities.
Have a body positive account you love? Let us know in the comments below.