Trying my best to be healthy wasn't always a priority of mine. In high school, I pretty much ate whatever my parents felt like cooking without question and headed outside for a run occasionally but definitely not as much as I should have. It wasn't until I came to Temple (and noticed how real the freshman 15 was) that I really started paying attention to what I put in my body and how much I exercised. Making sure health is one of my number one priorities hasn't always been easy and it still isn't sometimes; it requires time, self control, persistence, and removing myself from in front of Netflix every now and then. But now, I couldn't imagine my life any other way.
If you're like me, then sometimes you need a little push to get yourself to the gym or to say "no" to the pizza and "yes" to the salad instead. Sometimes when I'm in a slump I like to turn to Instagram for some motivation. So I rounded up 10 Instagram accounts you absolutely need to follow if you’re in need of a little fitness or general health inspiration! All of these accounts are loaded with new workout ideas, healthy eating tips, motivational quotes, and insanely fit people to show you what's possible with a little persistence. Happy scrolling, people!
1. @kaisafit
Kaisa Keranen is a Seattle-based personal trainer and co-founder of Two Bad Bodies. Her personal Instagram account is full of photos and short workout clips as well as motivational quotes that are sure to inspire you to head outdoors for a sweat-sesh. As a former track athlete at the University of Washington, she’s all about getting a workout in without equipment and having fun while doing it!
2. @athleta
Athleta’s workout gear may be a tad on the pricey side, but you can get boatloads of fitness inspiration for free just by taking a scroll through their Instagram account! Lots of clothing brands have accounts to promote their products but Athleta’s is particularly well done, in my opinion. You’ll spot tons of insanely fit women showing off their workout gear while surfing, doing yoga, boxing, jogging, skiing, and more, in beautiful, exotic places. It’ll definitely encourage you to get outdoors and get exercising so you can squeeze into their super-cute workout clothes.
3. @msjeanettejenkins
Jeanette Jenkins is definitely a must-follow for all you fitness nuts. She’s an author, producer, Nike athlete, founder of the Hollywood Trainer company, and on top of all that, a nutritionist. She’s worked with athletes like Serena Williams and Carmelita Jeter, as well as celebrities such as Alicia Keys and P!nk. Get ready to see tons of motivational quotes, low-calorie cooking ideas, short workout clips, and photos that will leave you dying to find out how she got so insanely fit.
4. @instarunners
You can be featured on the InstaRunners account when you use the hashtag #InstaRunners. Follow this online running community to see pictures of people crossing the finish line or showing off their medals from all over the world! Their determination and smiling faces are sure to get you outdoors for a nice, long distance run.
5. @beachyogagirl
Calling all yogis! This Instagram account is especially for you. Check out yoga instructor Kerri Verna’s account for some daily yoga inspiration. If you’ve fallen behind and are looking to get back into yoga, her beautiful beach-side yoga pictures and videos will definitely remind you what you’re missing. If you’re a yoga newbie, you’ll absolutely want to try it after scrolling through. You might even learn some new poses that you never even knew existed!
6. @blogilates
Cassey Ho is the creator of POP Pilates and makes killer workout videos on her Youtube channel, Blogilates. If you haven’t checked out her videos before, I would highly recommend them. They’re perfect for those days when you don’t feel like walking to the gym but still want to get your sweat on. Her Instagram account is full of motivational quotes, short workout cycles to try out, healthy workout snacks, and more!
7. @jessbaumgardner
Exercise and a low-cal., nutritious diet go hand-in-hand when it comes to being physically fit. So if your diet is in a bit of a slump, this account will give you the perfect dose of healthy eating inspiration! Jessica Baumgardner is a Philly-based holistic health coach who I’ve been following for a while now. Her account is loaded with drool-worthy photos of healthy food that will send you flying into the kitchen. Prepare your eyes for tons of colorful smoothies and juices, innovative quinoa salads, acai bowls, and more deliciousness.
8. @prettygirlssweat
Pretty Girls Sweat is an organization that empowers teen girls like you and me to take care of their bodies through eating a nutritious diet and working out regularly. They post daily motivational quotes such as "strong is the new pretty" and "the only bad workout is the one you didn't do," that are sure to inspire you to get off the couch and get moving. You can also find creative healthy cooking ideas like banana sushi, tons of fruit popsicle recipes, paleo breakfast cookie dough, and more!
9. @balletbeautiful
Mary Helen Bowers is a professional ballerina and the creator of Ballet Beautiful Fitness, which incorporates the theme of classical ballet into any workout sesh. She's worked with tons of noteworthy celebrities and even trained Natalie Portman when she starred in "The Black Swan!" Her Instagram account is loaded with stunning photos of her doing ballet and showing off her lean dancer physique, which you can achieve as well by testing out some of her Youtube videos on BeFiT. She even snaps pics of healthy snacks and meals for some clean eating inspiration, as well.
10. @af85
Allyson Felix, a Nike athlete and champion sprinter for the U.S. Olympic track and field team, is another athlete who's killing it on Instagram. Her pictures will definitely prove to you that determination pays off and will motivate you to push yourself a little harder the next time you're at the gym. You'll spot pictures of her racing to the finish line, sprinting at lightning speed, and photos of her looking incredibly fierce and athletic. Her account is definitely one to add to your must-follow list.
