Many of us have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Instagram. On one hand, it’s a good way to kill time when you’re on public transport or in the queue at the grocery store. It can also be a great source of inspiration — whether that’s motivating you to hit the gym or downsize your life.
But let’s be honest, sometimes you get sick of scrolling through endless bikini shots of perfectly toned, tanned (possibly photoshopped) Instagram models. In fact, if you happen to be catch a glimpse of these photos on a bad day (or after you’ve just scoffed an entire pizza) it can make you feel a little, well, inadequate.
It’s easy to say you should just unfollow the accounts that make you feel like crap. However, thanks to Instagram’s ever-changing algorithm, these types of bikini pics will probably sneak their way into your feed anyway. The good news is, the antidote is right there on Instagram too! A growing number of body positivity accounts are popping up on our feeds, reminding us that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Here are some of our faves.
9 must-follow body confidence IG accounts
@iskra
The voluptuous Iskra proves that you don’t have to be a size 0 to be happy and confident — she absolutely beams with positivity! Apart from being a model, she also founded Runway Riot: a fashion website for women of all sizes.
@any.body_co
You may remember these body-confident besties Kate and Georgia from this story back in March — and they’ve only gone from strength to strength since then! Their Instagram account is a great reminder that you can be gorgeous and glowing at any size.
@aerie
Let’s face it — most lingerie companies are still a bit behind the times when it comes to body diversity. That’s what makes US brand Aerie so refreshing. Not only do they use models of all shapes and sizes, they have a zero retouching policy. Their Insta account is a great representation of their raw and real approach.
@bodyposipanda
Megan from @bodyposipanda is one of the OG body confidence Instagrammers. She started documenting her eating disorder recovery back in 2015 and has been a fantastic source of self-love inspiration ever since! She’s also just about to release her first book, Body Confidence Power, a guide to making peace with your body.
@denisebidot
Denise is not only a model, mum and body confidence advocate, she’s also the founder of the No Wrong Way Movement. It’s a campaign that inspires people to love themselves and others exactly as they are — regardless of colour, size, gender, and sexual orientation. Because at the end of the day, there’s actually no ‘wrong’ way to be you!
@bostanley
There’s no shortage of surfy beach babes on Instagram. But surfer, model, athlete and body activist Bo Stanley stands out from the pack, thanks to her unabashed realness. Her IG account is a great reminder to the strong, athletic girls out there that you should love your body for the amazing things it can do, not what it looks like.
@ashleygraham
We’re sure model, body activist and designer Ashley Graham requires no introduction. It’s hard not to notice that stunning face and those bombshell curves. But the thing that makes her most beautiful is definitely how comfortable she is in her own skin — which is why she’s one of our favourite people to insta-stalk when we’re in need of a confidence boost.
@_kellyu
Kelly describes her Instagram account as ‘Fitspo turned Self-lovespo.’ While you would have once found shots of her flexed and perfectly angled, now the eating disorder survivor is all about showing her gorgeous body in its real, relaxed state — stretch marks, cellulite and all.
@selfloveclubb
Milly Smith of @selfloveclubb went viral earlier this year when she posted two shots taken right after the other wearing the same pair of tights — showing that ‘body transformation’ photos on Instagram aren’t always what they seem! Her account is a must-follow for new mums who are struggling to accept their post-baby bods.
