Four Body Positive Influencers To Follow On Instagram

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Influencers on Instagram are known for having a big and dedicated audience in a particular segment like lifestyle, fashion, food, travel, etc. But then there are those who use the platform to spread awareness, body positivity, share their struggles or promote social causes in the hope that they will probably give hope and inspiration to that one person who is struggling to embrace their struggles, be it inward or outward.

Here are four Instagram influencers who are spreading body positivity by posting about the side of beauty that the industry never represents- vitiligo, acne, body size. things which should be normal because human beings come in all shapes and sizes, but unfortunately we only see the fair, slim, smooth-skinned models take the space in media when it comes to representation. As we feature some of their inspiring posts from their Instagram feed, we also wish more power to them. May their tribe grow.

Riya Agrawal

Instagram: rhea_agrawal

(Rhea Agrawal), 23-year-old vitiligo influencer from Mumbai, currently residing in London

“People are gonna label you. It’s how you overcome those labels, that’s what matters. All this time through vitiligo I’ve been trying to spread a message to not have a fixed notion of beauty. I’m not sure if I’ve failed or succeeded in doing so but aren’t we all better off custom-made?”

“My account has always been about being comfortable in my own skin. And there’s no denying that. But I just wanted to come here and talk about my low days. Days when I end up comparing myself, maybe unintentionally; days when I keep on playing ‘what ifs’ in my head; days when I overthink and don’t feel like sharing it with anyone. So I get it when you all send me messages sharing your tough times and asking questions about being confident. Guess I don’t have the answer to all of them and honestly, it’s okay to feel that way. But I do know that on these days it is so important to be content with yourself first.
Try and have an inner monologue that deflects negative thoughts. Let the true you, the flawed, the messy, the excitable, the uncomfortable, the inner and outer you, spread like wildfire. Just felt like sharing this because I don’t wanna change myself even a tad bit, do you?”

PARUL SRIVASTAVA

Instagram: iampaarul

Parul is a Digital creator, Recruiter, Traveller, Storyteller, and a Vitiligo Advocate from Lucknow who has a Podcast called Unfiltered By Paarul which is heard in 20 countries.

“I always preach one thing when it comes to vitiligo and that is: Vitiligo never defines who you are. Your worth and value are not determined by it. It takes years to be on self-love journey and I am so proud of all of you who are putting themselves before anything. I salute to even those who are taking a teenie tiny step towards self-love.”

Ishita

Instagram: missmakeuphoarder

Ishita is a Beauty Content Creator and an advocate for Acne/Skin positivity. She goes by the motto- Dream. Demand. Inspire.

“If you feel that acne makes someone “ugly” then the problem is with you. My acne is not “ugly”. It’s just there and it exists and I can assure you that we are doing enough to get rid of it because it is really hard to struggle with a chronic skin condition. To all my lovelies who call themselves ugly cause, they’re struggling like I have, as much as I know that we have been told since a very young age that if we don’t look a certain way, we are ugly and that’s what we started believing in, try not calling yourself that from next time. Your acne doesn’t make you ugly and if there’s anyone trying to make you believe the same, don’t let them hold that kind of power.”

“WE DESERVE ACNE REPRESENTATION! If today I grew up watching someone like myself, I probably wouldn’t have been self-loathing in front of the mirror most of my life. It’s mostly because of how you portrayed women is why a young child believed that she wasn’t good enough to fit in. You made us young girls believe that you need to look a certain way to feel beautiful and that we can never belong in the industry. I know that not much of it has changed but we NEED to work on it.”
Brands, just not on social media but also on television commercials, show us women with real/textured/acne/hyperpigmented skin. Women are constantly subjected to the stereotypical beauty standards, you can try to make a change.
For example, when you promote something for people with acne, get yourself a model who really has acne and not a small drawn zit on some big actress because it’s only benefitting your brand. What about the people watching you? Also not the ones that fit into your box of “looks cute” but the ones you know that might make someone feel uncomfortable because when you start to have conversations on normalising something, you know that it will make some people uncomfortable but it’s for the better. Don’t give us unrealistic expectations. Let us know that it’s completely normal to have acne. Show us real advertisements. Show us women with real skin conditions. We deserve it after all these years. Don’t fail the coming young generations. Change the narrative! I’m doing your part, when will you?

Diksha Singhi

Instagram: alwaysalittleextra

Diksha Singhi is a Digital creator who is Reclaiming her space in the fitness and fashion industry and is no longer at war with her body.

“Fat women have also been sexually abused massively, because offenders feel that it’s easy to lure a fat woman, because again, who else is going to have sex with her, anyway.And because of this, so many of us don’t feel attractive enough. We don’t take full-body pictures. We feel under-confident. But why?
Our Indian goddesses were always well-rounded. Did they not find love or were single all their lives? We have such a distorted perception of beauty. We can either wait for us to #loseweight and then find love for ourselves or we can start living our lives right here, right now. There are people out there who will find you attractive with those curves. Who will laugh with you at your jokes and who would want to marry all of you including your double chin. But for that, you need to be open to love. Choose a #healthyrelationship, where your #health matters. Not the way you look. Don’t hate your body. Don’t love your body either. Treat it like a body. Love your complete self. And don’t ever change yourself or your weight just because that will help you find love or getting married!|

Images and quotes courtesy of the respective Instagram accounts.

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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS is a largely prevalent disorder that affects one in every five women in India. While symptoms such as irregular periods, unusual weight gain, excessive hair growth and acne all usually point to PCOS, many women experience no symptoms, which means the condition can go undiagnosed well into adulthood.

While the exact cause of PCOS is yet to be determined, the disorder is linked to abnormal levels of androgen (male hormones) in the body, including high insulin levels, which may result in more than half of all PCOS sufferers developing type 2 diabetes before the age of 40. Even though there is no cure for the disorder, a doctor recommended diet, workout regimen, and medication can help treat the symptoms.

The conversation around PCOS has opened up in recent years, leading to a greater awareness of the symptoms. Many celebrities and influencers have come forward and used their platform to address and share their stories of struggles with the disorder. One such celebrity to come forward is Sara Ali Khan, who opened up about life with PCOS.

Before the release of her debut film, Khan opened up about her struggle with PCOS. On the chat show Koffee With Karan, she claimed she was 96 kgs, and due to her hormone levels, it was challenging for her to lose the weight that she had put on while studying at Columbia University. Sara underwent a weight-loss transformation to look and feel her best despite the challenges.

With sheer willpower, Sara conquered her diet and practised yoga and Kathak, all while hitting the gym regularly, where she incorporates cardio and weight training. In the past, Sara has confessed how she does not consume carbs, any form of sugar or even milk. She eats a lot of protein ranging from eggs to chicken and snacks on cucumber sticks and low-fat greek yoghurt with protein powder and a pinch of coffee that she considers her dessert.

While one can take inspiration from Sara’s story, it is also important to remember that every person’s body is different, and each body needs different care. So before undertaking any diet or fitness routine, it is essential to consult a doctor first and get the care designed for your body’s needs.