7 Body-Positive Instagram Accounts To Follow For A Confidence Boost | HuffPost Life

So long, self-doubt 👋

By

Life Editor at HuffPost UK

We all know a lot of the images we in the media are highly filtered or Photoshopped, but that doesn’t stop many of us feeling inadequate.

When the constant bombardment of one-size-fits-all beauty is damaging your self-esteem, it can be tempting to shut off from technology altogether - but there is another way.

Body-positivity has gone from strength to strength on Instagram, with advocates reclaiming the space as somewhere to celebrate diversity, love themselves and support one another, instead of promoting unrealistic beauty standards.

If you’re in need of a body-confidence boost, unfollow the accounts that make you feel bad about yourself and check out these people instead.

1. Harnaam Kaur (@harnaamkaur)

Activist Harnaam Kaur was bullied as a teenager, which damaged her self-esteem to the point where she felt suicidal. Harnaam has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and, as a result, has facial hair. But now she has learned to love herself and be proud of her beard.

Follow her for sass-filled posts that stick a middle finger up to convention.

2. Megan Jayne Crabbe (@bodyposipanda)

Megan Jayne Crabbe, who previously struggled with anorexia, knows that being thinner does not necessarily equate to be healthier, both physically and mentally.

Follow for regular, colourful reminders that embracing your natural size is one of the most empowering things you will ever do.

3. Bishamber Das (@bishamberdas)

As Britain’s ‘first Asian plus-size model’, Bishamber Das is living proof that fashion really is for all.

Follow for clothes inspo and quick quotes that won’t leave you feeling crap about yourself.

4. Kelvin Davis (@notoriouslydapper)

Kelvin Davis is leading the charge showing body-positivity isn’t just for women. We particularly like the caption on the above photo: “Me pointing to all the haters who said I was ‘too fat’ to be a model.”

Follow for high fashion shots with a sense of humour.

5. Megan Smith (@selfloveclub)

Founder of the hashtag #SelfLoveClub, Milly Smith posts about body-positivity, mental health and chronic illness, shining a light on how all three are connected.

Follow for reminders that appearances can’t tell you what’s going on inside and that you are always good enough.

6. Kay Ska (@kay_ska)

Kay Ska can’t understand why the world hates cellulite and belly rolls and after checking out her posts, you won’t either.

Follow for updates from a totally relatable girl you’ll simply want to be friends with.

7. Troy Solomon (@abearnamedtroy)

Troy Soloman’s account is a fashion extravaganza and a reminder that you’re biggest fan should always be yourself.

Follow to see Troy pull off the styles and poses you’re too shy to try for an instant confidence boost.

Our Body Image Heroes

Serena Willliams (01 of10)

Serena Willliams was told she is "built like a man" by Twitter trolls, but that didn't stop her being super body confident."I love that I am a full woman and I’m strong and I’m powerful and I’m beautiful at the same time," she said. "And there’s nothing wrong with that." (credit:TIMOTHY A. CLARY via Getty Images)

Tess Holliday (02 of10)

Lines like this are why we love Tess Holliday: "It's okay to be yourself, even if you happen to exist in a fat body. I'm sexy, confident and give no fucks. Also, fuck anyone for saying otherwise. " (credit:Curve Fashion Festival)

Demi Lovato (03 of10)

Having previously opened up about her struggles with an eating disorder, Demi Lovato posed for an un-touched nude photo featured on the cover of Vanity Fair."I basically went from hating every single inch of my body to working on myself and trying to figure out ways to love myself and love the skin that I'm in," she said in an accompanying interview."I learned after working very hard on my spirituality and my soul and my body, I learned that you can get to a place where you love the skin that you're in and I'm excited to share that with the world." (credit:Vanity Fair)

Jameela Jamil (04 of10)

Jameela Jamil has launched an inclusive clothing range to end the plus-size divide once and for all.“I find it infuriating that in this industry, size 10 and above is defined as ‘plus size’ especially when the average dress size in the UK is a 16," she said."We really shouldn’t be putting a label on size, fashion is for all and I think confidence and happiness is more important than dress labels.” (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)

Chrissy Teigen(05 of10)

Chrissy Teigen proved even models aren't perfect when she posted a picture of her stretch marks on Instagram.Her post promoted comments like: "I've had stretch marks since I was 12 years old at 5'9". So important for young girls and now 29 year olds to see." (credit:Michael Loccisano via Getty Images)

Kate Winslet (06 of10)

Actress Kate Winslet is determined to help her daughter develop a healthy body image."When I grew up, I never heard positive reinforcement about body image from any female in my life," she said. "I only ever heard negatives. That's very damaging because then you're programmed as a young woman to immediately scrutinise yourself and how you look.""And so I stand in front of the mirror and say to Mia, 'We are so lucky that we've got a shape. We're so lucky we're curvy. We're so lucky that we've got good bums.' And she'll say, 'Mummy, I know, thank God.' It's working, that thing that I've been doing. It's paying off." (credit:Matt Crossick/Matt Crossick)

Lupita Nyong'o(07 of10)

Lupita Nyong'o has spoken out against the lack of diversity in the media saying: "European standards of beauty are something that plague the entire world—the idea that darker skin is not beautiful, that light skin is the key to success and love."She also loves her skin, as proven by her appearance in a brilliant Sesame Street sketch. (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)

Ashley Graham (08 of10)

Model Ashley Graham refuses to be defined by her size."It’s fantastic when I’m not labeled as a plus size model in any interview or editorial I do," she told HuffPost UK Style."It makes a statement for women out there, 'look she’s not being described by her size, she’s being honoured by the things that she’s doing in the world'." (credit:Andy Kropa /Invision/AP)

Amy Schumer(09 of10)

When a film critic called actress and comedian Amy Schumer "chubby", she responded by saying: "I am a US size 6 and have no plans of changing. This is it. Stay on or get off."Brilliant. (credit:Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Alexa Chung (10 of10)

Alexa Chung has been skinny-shamed and called "gross" by online trolls, but instead of letting the haters get her down, she's become a spokesperson for body diversity in the media."I would love to look like Daisy Lowe, but I don't... but I'm happy with how I look. Equally, I don't want to use this as an example of how young girls should look," she said. (credit:KGC-146/STAR MAX/IPx)

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