With the season of endless holiday treats upon us, followed immediately by the season of New Years Resolutions, your body image can really start to take a hit. Sometimes, it’s difficult to love the way you look on any given day, let alone when you might have set a goal to get into better shape for the new year. It is important to remember that your body—and all bodies—is worthy of love and appreciation, regardless of what it looks like on the outside. Our bodies are our homes in this life; they do so much for us that we so often tend to take for granted. If you need a little encouragement and a healthy reminder of just how wonderful your body is, no matter its shape, color, or size, here are some wonderful body-positive Instagram accounts that you won’t regret following.
beingjaime: Jaime is a college student and exercise science major who uses Instagram to document her own personal journey with fitness and wellness. One of the best parts about her account is her honesty—she admits to taking long breaks from the gym and fesses up when she is struggling with negative thoughts, and her lack of a desire to seem “perfect” by societal standards is refreshing.
lordstilllovesmejulia: Also a well-known blogger, Julia’s Instagram is full of positivity. Having battled anorexia in high school, she shares her newfound search for balance and health, both mental and physical, through her account. Her blog, www.lord-still-loves-me.com, is also an excellent resource for encouragement and reassurance that you are enough, just as you are.
nourishandeat: If you are on the hunt for uplifting messages, Gina’s account is a wonderful one to follow. She posts lots of illustrated quotes on a regular basis; the quotes serve as wonderful reminders any time you might be feeling down in the dumps about yourself or your body. Also an eating disorder survivor, Gina’s insight on the body and how much it deserves appreciation is amazing. Following her is a wonderful decision to make!
bodyposipanda: This is probably the most widely-followed account on this list, and for a good reason! Much like nourishandeat, Megan’s account includes a mixture of quotes, pictures, and other messages that promote body positivity and acceptance at any size. Deemed “the most body confident girl on Instagram” by Metro Online, Megan’s account is definitely worth a follow.
nathanaellark A little different from the others listed, this account is run by a body-positive visual artist. Nathanael Lark creates artwork that represents women as they really are, portraying their beauty in a way that is totally independent of body shape or size. He began a project called “I Can See Your Beauty,” which promotes body positivity and even resulted in the publication of a book! You can learn more about his drawings here.
As difficult as it can be sometimes, it is so, so crucial to practice self-acceptance. You were created intentionally and for a reason, and the functions of your body matter so much more than what it looks like on the outside. To get an extra reminder of this in your day, take a look at any of these accounts—you deserve the love and positivity that they preach!
