13 Instagram Accounts to Help Your Body Confidence
Over the years, I’ve changed the types of accounts I follow on Instagram. One of the most popular content categories I now include is focused on body confidence, with a wide representation of bodies and sizes. When I was younger, I only took in content from those people I aspired to look like — thin, tan, white women — and in that process helped destroy my own self-image. These days, I love following people of all sizes and colors because it helps me learn and become more aware of other people in this world. I find that no matter what we look like, the warped concept of beauty in today’s society has affected both men and women in negative ways and it’s not until we get older (if even then) that we start to realize the damage that’s been inflicted.
If you’re in that group and need some help learning to love the person you are, I’ve put together some of my favorite Instagram accounts to help your body confidence (among other things). I KNOW that I’m missing more important accounts, so if there are any that have helped you, PLEASE leave them in the comments so that we can all follow along.
1. @ownitbabe
I’ve followed Rini for a couple years now — after writing my ebook on wellness and making sure to include her in my section of creators to follow. I love her openness about mental health and body image, which is something I really relate to. She’s also due with her first child in October, so it’s been fun following along with her perspectives on pregnancy and all the changes that come with that. She’s just a sweetheart and always willing to talk about things that have shaped the person she is today.
2. @thebirdspapaya
Since I interviewed Sarah for my mental health summit in 2019, she has BLOWN UP in a huge way with over 1 million followers. She’s incredibly open about her relationship with her body and how she went from being praised by others for the results of her (private) eating disorder to finally learning to accept and love the body she’s in. She shares stretch marks, pregnancy thoughts (she’s also currently pregnant), and everything in between to help increase body confidence. She’s a wonderful writer and also a huge advocate for others who may not fit the “stereotypical” image of beauty. I love how well she shows up to support other people.
3. @balancingkat
Katia has been on her own journey with diet culture and shares a lot of helpful information of hers and others about the damages it does mentally and physically. The posts on her feed aren’t every day, but she shares a lot of helpful content in her stories like her anxiety to try out free personal training sessions at a local gym because of her appearance, despite the fact that she’s already run a marathon.
4. @meg.boggs
Ugh, I love Meg. She’s incredible and such a strong force for women everywhere. She’s someone who stays active and physical, yet doesn’t conform to what people want to see from someone who consistently works out. People are very quick to assume that exercise = thinness, and I can tell you as a personal trainer that that’s not always the case. She’s so unapologetic when it comes to who she is and what she can do and I love her writing and her message. She (and I assume many others on this list) is constantly trolled and harassed with negative comments and I commend her for always showing up with her head held high.
5. @i_weigh
Founded by @jameelajamilofficial (who you should also follow), the i_weigh community is radically inclusive of everyone and everything. It’s amazing. Posts range from normalizing different bodies to defending LGBTQ+ rights to addressing mental health topics. This community is so important in addressing and amplifying topics that need to be destigmatized.
6. @bodyposipanda
Megan is an author and content creator who has taken the internet by storm. She’s a bright and colorful ray of sunshine with over a million followers who show up to take in her content on body image, self-love, and acceptance of everyone. The way she writes is so mindful and inclusive of others that you can’t help but love her and learn from the information she puts out there.
7. @drjoshuawolrich
One thing that I love about this account is that he is an actual doctor, unlike so many influencers on Instagram these days trying to give out all kinds of information. He addresses things from a medical perspective, but also makes them understandable for the everyday person. He’s a huge advocate for body inclusivity and understands that weight gain or simply the weight that someone is is determined by a myriad of factors and can’t be boiled down to one reason. It’s a multifaceted issue, which is really refreshing to see someone understand in the medical profession. He calls out anyone who is purporting false or misleading health information and does it in such a wonderful way. The fact that he’s British may be one of the reasons. 🙂
8. @katiesturino
One thing I love about Katie’s account is her #SuperSizeTheLook posts where she takes a conventionally thin celebrity and also shares a picture of her next to it where she is wearing a similarly-styled outfit. Many average-sized women (average in the U.S. is NOT a size 2 or 4) often feel that they can’t dress certain ways because they lack the body confidence, and Katie helps show how manageable it is to do so. She’s also outspoken about size inclusivity and body acceptance. Oh, and founder of the wonderful @megababe line which is featured in my anti-chafing products post.
9. @fitfatandallthat
Julia is an eating disorder recovery coach and does a great job of making her audience feel comfortable and accepted. She’s full of positive affirmations and normalizing every day bodies! Definitely follow if you’re looking for body confidence help.
10. @kenziebrenna
Kenzie shares a little bit about everything, but I love her posts on body image and mental health. She also shares a lot of funny posts, which helps to break up her feed, although everything she shares is really helpful. I’ve seen the way that she responds to negative comments with kindness and grace, and it helps me be a better person to others by reminding myself that hurt people hurt people. The post I’m sharing below is actually an example of a conversation (you’ll have to click through to see the other photos), and I’m blown away by the way she responds.
11. @victoriamyers_
Victoria is just the sweetest. I had the privilege of being a guest on her Nourishing Women Podcast earlier in the year and the work she’s doing with women on body acceptance and intuitive eating is really helpful. She’s also a registered dietitian and mother to a sweet baby girl right about Miles’ age. Her posts are always bright and hopeful and she makes me smile.
12. @recoveryloveandcare
Jayne Mattingly is someone I’ve followed for awhile and her posts are always uplifting and inspiring. She wears many hats; among them, a food/body and eating disorder recovery coach. Definitely give her a follow if you’re looking for a lot of smiles and strength in one package.
13. @tiffanyima
I struggled to pick just one of Tiffany’s posts to share because they’re all so good. I also love that she has text overlays on a lot of them so it draws you in and makes her point (which is later expanded on in the caption) easily identifiable. She gets straight to the point and I love that. She’s definitely someone that I learn from and respect in this body confidence space.