33 Instagram accounts to follow in 2019 that will actually make you feel good about your body
- Curating your Instagram feed so you only see people whose posts make you feel good can do wonders for your mental health.
- The self-love movement has gained speed over the past year, with more and more people deciding to reject society's beauty standards.
- There are now lots of Instagrammers who dedicate their feeds to encouraging people to love their rolls and embrace their acne.
- Here are 33 of the best to follow in 2019.
Loving your appearance is hard. It often seems like everywhere we look, we're being told we're not good enough. Not thin enough, not pretty enough, not curvy enough.
But the tide is slowly starting to change.
A growing number of women (for it is mainly women whose bodies are subjected to these ludicrous standards) are pushing back against society's ideals and sticking two fingers up to the physical pressures engrained in so many of us.
They've decided that actually, you can get a lot more done when you're not obsessing over your body all the time, and the number on the scale or the size of your jeans does not determine your self-worth.
Read more: This woman's side-by-side photo makes a powerful point about looking 'perfect' on Instagram
In order to get on board with this way of thinking, curating your Instagram feed is crucial — you don't need to follow people who make you feel bad about yourself. Instead, follow people who lift you up.
"Seeing other women in their bikinis and underwear with their rolls, cellulite, stretch marks, hyperpigmentation, and bellies on show normalised fat bodies for me and taught me not to feel ashamed in my own skin," said Stephanie Yeboah (one of the people on our list).
"I saw these beautiful, gorgeous bodies and saw myself."
From belly rolls to big noses, none of our perceived "flaws" are flaws at all.
Follow these 33 Instagram accounts, ranked in ascending order by follower count, to help you feel good about your body — and yourself — in 2019.
33. @radhikasanghani — 4,088 followers
A post shared by radhikasanghani (@radhikasanghani) on Mar 8, 2018 at 7:26am PST
Radhika Sanghani is a journalist, author, and creator of the #sideprofileselfie campaign, which encourages people to love their big noses.
"Let's stop hating our noses for not being tiny, little snubs and embrace them!" she says.
32. @libbyshappyproject — 6,806 followers
A post shared by Libby Phillips 🍄 she/her (@libbyshappyproject) on Nov 29, 2018 at 10:29am PST
Libby Phillips is a body positive illustrator who creates cute images with important messages.
"Your best is ALWAYS good enough, just sometimes through various factors it isn't quite available for you to use. And that's okay — as long as you accept your limits and give Your Best the time and care it needs to catch up with you," she says.
31. @bodypositivepear — 10.1k followers
Sarah Frances Young is in remission from atypical anorexia — her Instagram account is dedicated to spreading "positive vibes and tips for ED recovery."
"You deserve to take up space," she says. "You deserve respect. You deserve to love yourself and your body. You are beautiful. You are worthy."
30. @love_disfigure — 11.2k followers
Sylvia Mac is a burns survivor who doesn't let her scars hold her back.
"Don't paste over the cracks in your life as I did, deal with them head on and begin to embrace you and your body," she says. "When you fully embrace your body you will find yourself in an amazing place that you never knew existed. It's out there for the taking."
29. @bopo.boy — 11.9k followers
While the body positivity movement may be largely dominated by women, there are men making waves too, one of whome is Stevie Blaine AKA Bopo Boy.
"You don't need to apologise for the space you occupy," he says. "You don’t need to be ashamed of your appetite.
"But you do need to remember that food has no moral value, eating a cucumber doesn't make you saintly just like eating a cupcake doesn't make you the devil. Food is food. Honour your appetite, embrace the space you occupy and be you, unapologetically."
28. @theeverymanproject — 13.4k followers
A post shared by EveryMan (@theeverymanproject) on Dec 8, 2018 at 6:43pm PST
The EveryMan Project aims to create a visual conversation around diversity. They encourage men to show their vulnerability and fight back against toxic masculinity.
"All bodies are beautiful," they say.
27. @gracewoodward — 21.5k followers
Fashion stylist and TV presenter Grace Woodward has become a body positive activist in recent years. On her Instagram account she posts inspiring words and truthful images.
"We need to see hair in dominant culture, and for all it faults social media is our tool," she says. "Talk about your hair, do not be afraid of your hair, when we like ourselves, and that means our hair too, that's when s--- will really change."
26. @nerdabouttown — 22.3k followers
Stephanie Yeboah is a British blogger and advocate of fat acceptance.
"There are days when you won't feel as confident," she says. "There are days when you are going to wish you were smaller and there are days when you are going to look in the mirror and be like 'urgh!,' but the great thing about self-love is that those days will eventually become less and less and will be replaced by feelings of immense love and self-respect for your body.
"Don't let a few bad days or a few negative feelings deflect you from continuing on your journey to loving yourself. Your body will thank you for it; it's what it deserves."
25. @_selflovesquad_ — 30.2k followers
This Instagram account is feminist, positive, and lives by the slogan "rolls aren't just for cinnamon."
"Society did not become this way overnight and we've spent our entire lives being conditioned to dislike who we are in order for companies to profit off of our insecurities," they say.
"But just know preaching and practicing self-love only improves your self-esteem and self-acceptance if you really believe what you tell yourself."
24. @karinairby_raw — 40.5k followers
A post shared by KARINA IRBY (@karinairby_raw) on Dec 2, 2018 at 6:20pm PST
Karina Irby is an influencer with a huge following, but it's her lesser-known account @karinairby_raw which is arguably the one worth adding to your feed. This is where she posts outtakes and less flattering angles, proving that even the people who appear glossy and perfect don't look like that most of the time. Double-chins, bloated stomachs, cellulite, and all.
"Stop trying to be something that doesn't exist," says Irby.
23. @abeauty_and_abeast_ — 54.5k followers
Makayla is in recovery from an eating disorder and self-harming, and her Instagram account is devoted to "finding, creating, and embracing my best self."
"You aren't expected to suck and squeeze and contort your body to make it worthy of love or beautiful or whatever," she says.
"You're allowed to simply exist in the shapes you make, and THAT is unique and beautiful. Your body is not required to look or be any certain way. Keep reminding yourself when you're tempted to forget."
21. @bryonygordon — 91.3k followers
A post shared by bryonygordon (@bryonygordon) on Nov 13, 2018 at 8:59am PST
Bryony Gordon is a British journalist, author, and mental health advocate. This year, she won praise for running the London marathon in her underwear, and her Instagram account is a total breath of fresh air.
"My body is perfect to me because it is mine: it's carried a baby, got me through two marathons and kept me alive even when I treated it with stunning cruelty and disrespect through bulimia, drug and alcohol abuse," Gordon says.
"And after all that, I won’t let anyone else treat it with cruelty and disrespect."
20. @jess_megan_ — 111.2k followers
A post shared by Jessica Megan (@jess_megan_) on Nov 26, 2018 at 9:04am PST
British curve model Jessica Megan posts photos with messages that celebrate women's natural bodies.
"No matter how s--- you feel and no matter what you look like, no one has the right to make you feel like your worth is attached to what you weigh," she says.
19. @joannvdherik — 120k followers
Joann Van Den Herik is a Dutch model and cousin of Gigi and Bella Hadid.
"We've been told our whole lives that you can be happy — if you're thin," she says. "But keep reminding yourself that you deserve better than this. Be kind to yourself. Everything is so beautiful when we stop looking for the negative things."
18. @uhnonee — 130k followers
Oenone Forbat may be a slim PT with defined abs, but she proves that even those with glorified, conventionally attractive physiques have insecurities — she's also very open about the fact that her abs are down to her DNA, and everyone in her family has them.
Forbat shares eloquent musings and common sense in a world of Instagram fakery.
"No matter who you are or what you look like, if you pay enough *scrutinising* attention to your body, you'll start to find flaws," she says. "If you just accept your body as it is, it's so much easier to get over the hang-ups, wants or insecurities."
17. @gravefvictory — 149.4k followers
A post shared by Grace (@gracefvictory) on Apr 5, 2018 at 11:58pm PDT
Grace Victory is an influencer who originally focussed on fashion but now is a champion of body positivity.
"I sometimes can’t believe that I love so many of the things that I used to hate about myself," she says.
16. @hannahwitton — 159.1k followers
A post shared by Hannah Witton (@hannahwitton) on Jul 14, 2018 at 11:41am PDT
Hannah Witton is a vlogger who is on a mission to break the stigma around stoma bags.
"This year has been tough and I've got some serious battle scars but I'm just moving onwards and upwards," she says. "This is my life now and I'm going to embrace it."
15. @selfloveclubb — 176.3k followers
Milly is on a mission to call out the nonsense on the internet, pointing out just how many images on your feed are highly edited.
"Nothing about you ever needed to change," she says. "Society just needs to unlearn its ugly views."
14. @theslumflower — 190.5k followers
Women do not owe you perky. #SAGGYBOOBSMATTER Makeup by @bernicia.boateng
A post shared by Chidera Eggerue (@theslumflower) on Dec 10, 2018 at 8:16am PST
Chidera Eggerue AKA The Slumflower is the woman behind the #saggyboobsmatter movement, which, unsurprisingly, encourages women to embrace their saggy boobs.
"Here is a subtle reminder that everything you think you hate about yourself is a product of societal CONDITIONING!" she says. "(Including saggy boobs — a construct formed to force women into the rigid confines of 'beauty'.)"
13. @allisonkimmey — 193.2k followers
A post shared by ALLIE 🌸 Just Do You, Babe! (@allisonkimmey) on Nov 30, 2018 at 8:28am PST
"Self love expert" Allison Kimmey is forever encouraging her Instagram followers to "just do you."
"When you let go of the limiting belief that you are only good if you are thin, you can begin to see that embracing whatever body you currently live in will bring more joy than any number on the scale," she says.
12. @jadasezer — 202.2k followers
A post shared by J A D A S E Z E R (@jadasezer) on Oct 17, 2018 at 9:02am PDT
Plus-size model Sezer ran the London Marathon in her underwear with Bryony Gordon. The message? Fitness has no size limit.
"Love every piece of you. Even the overspilling love handles and side dips in your hips," she says.
11. @calliethorpe — 204k followers
Plus-size model Callie Thorpe is all about self-love, but is honest about the fact that she doesn't always love her body.
"I hope one day soon I won't think about the parts of my body that I dislike," she says. "The width of my arms, the stretch marks on my back, the folds of skin that I never show. I hope that I can finally come to peace with everything that I am.
"I hope that I reach a point of body neutrality where I just see my body as the powerful vessel that gets me through life every day. Not beautiful, not ugly. Not anything. Just my body. I hope that for us all."
10. @hi.ur.beautiful — 212k followers
A post shared by Body Positivity ✨ (@hi.ur.beautiful) on Jun 25, 2018 at 9:33am PDT
This Instagram account posts illustrations, memes, and images which encourage kindness, both to yourself and others.
"You are YOU — and that's enough," they say. "You don’t need to be like anyone else. Your life doesn't have to follow a path anyone else has trodden. Your dreams, plans, and goals are all yours. Your flaws and strengths are yours to embrace too."
9. @i_weigh — 256.2k followers
The "I weigh" movement was founded by "The Good Place" star Jameela Jamil — and it's about encouraging people to measure their weight and thus worth in terms of their positive attributes, rather than the number on the scale.
"I wanted a mini online museum of women who were valuing themselves properly," Jamil told The Independent. "By how they feel about themselves and the people they are, and the lives they live and change and save. Rather than by our media’s absurd standards women are expected to uphold.
"Standards that are airbrushed, surgically enhanced and starved and relentlessly trained for by those perpetuating this dangerous stereotype."
8. @the12ishstyle — 259.6k followers
A post shared by Katie Sturino (@the12ishstyle) on Dec 15, 2018 at 1:43pm PST
Katie Sturino's Instagram account is designed "for all the 12ish and up girls living in a size 2 world." She recreates celebrities' looks using the hashtag #supersizethelook, proving you can look just as stylish in a larger body.
"It's not about who wore it better... it's about anyone feeling like they can wear anything!" she says.
7. @sonnyturner__ — 279.5k followers
A post shared by SONNY TURNER (@sonnyturner___) on Dec 1, 2018 at 12:49pm PST
Plus-size model Sonny Turner aims to challenge traditional notions of beauty through the hashtag #everyBODYisbeautiful.
"To any young girl scrolling through her Instagram feed on a daily and comparing herself to other women. Thinking she 'can't wear that' or she 'can't do this until she's lost a stone' or 'no one will ever love me if I'm fat'... YOU ARE BOLD. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. DONT BE AFRAID TO TAKE UP SPACE," she says.
6. @saggysara — 311.3k followers
Sara Puhto is a vegan from Finland who is committed to showing just how different your body can look depending on how you pose.
"Start complimenting yourself and realizing how amazing you truly are," she says. "Don't go on crash diets and force yourself to workout to obtain a certain 'goal weight or body shape.'
"We are all different and that's completely okay! Embrace your body and love yourself no matter what that negative voice in your head tells you!"
5. @chessiekingg — 393.8k followers
A post shared by C H E S S I E K I N G (@chessiekingg) on Nov 13, 2018 at 12:35pm PST
British influencer Chessie King encourages her followers to stop worrying about the size of their bodies, and to focus on what their bodies can do.
"Beauty isn't a set of abs or a flat stomach, beauty is the ability to make others feel amazing not just by commenting on their looks," she says.
4. @thickleeyonce — 400.5k followers
I look like a squishy, soft, plump jelly tot😩💗
A post shared by thickleeyonce@gmail.com (@thickleeyonce) on Dec 5, 2018 at 10:29pm PST
Leeyonce is a photographer, model, and owner of a plus-size fashion brand.
"I hope the next thing you get addicted to is taking care of yourself and falling in love with every inch of you," she says.
3. @mypaleskinblog — 935.1k followers
A post shared by Em Ford (@mypaleskinblog) on Nov 22, 2018 at 3:22pm PST
Em Ford is a champion of skin positivity and strives to "redefine pretty."
"You don't have to be 'perfect' to be happy," she says. "You don't need to have 'flawless skin' to be successful, and you certainly don't have change who you are to be 'liked'."
2. @bodyposipanda — 1 million followers
A post shared by Megan Jayne Crabbe 🐼 (@bodyposipanda) on Aug 12, 2018 at 12:19pm PDT
Possibly the best-known voice in the self-love world and the woman largely credited with spearheading the body positivity movement, eating disorder sruvivor Megan Crabbe is on a mission to help people stop hating their bodies and develop a healthier relationship with food.
"I promise, you do not need to punish yourself or your body," she says. "You do not need to restrict. You do not need to skip meals. You are allowed to eat today. And tomorrow. And every day after."
1. @celestebarber — 5.1 million followers
Real love is timed, styled and well lit. #celestechallengeaccepted #celestebarber #funny
A post shared by Celeste Barber (@celestebarber) on Dec 16, 2018 at 5:53am PST
Celeste Barber has won millions of fans for her hilarious reincarnations of pictures usually posted by models and actors. Her photos not only make her followers laugh but also remind us that the "perfect" images we see everywhere just aren't real life.
"Put your Fitbit on, and don't pay it any attention. Grab a glass of wine, put some ice in it; it keeps you hydrated," Barber told Vogue.
"I eat everything I want to. I exercise for my health, not for how I look, and I don't drink as much water as I should."