GET SOME SOCIAL REALISM
Remember: Instagram can be the root of all evil. Our posts are saved for the best pictures, so if you’re sizing yourself up against someone else’s life/face/body, it’s likely you’re sizing yourself up against a contrived impression of perfection. These Instagram Realists, however, like everyone else, have had their body hang-ups, but they’ve come to realise that the ideal body is the body they have. So if you’re looking for inspiration, hit follow on these new role models.
@MISTYONPOINTE
Misty Copeland, ballet dancer for American Ballet Theatre: ‘The moment I took ownership of my body was when I realised I needed to stop beating myself up. The workout was already there with ballet, but the missing link was accepting support and figuring out how changing my eating habits would make me feel better.’
@JBONE89
Jordan Bone, beauty blogger and author of My Beautiful Struggle: ‘I am a quadriplegic, which means I’m paralysed from the chest down, so my hands curl. I was constantly asked on my make-up tutorials why I held brushes in a “weird way”, so I decided to put the questions to rest and created an online video called “My Beautiful Struggle” to explain it all. I once couldn’t even do my make-up, so these days I celebrate what my hands can do.’
@MYNAMEISJESSAMYN
Jessamyn Stanley, author of Every Body Yoga: ‘I used to spend my days obsessed with how my body was viewed by other people. I finally realised that the opinions of others are completely irrelevant and my only goal should be the pursuit of happiness within and because of myself.’
@IAMJESSICASKYE
Jessica Skye, DJ and founder
of Fat Buddha Yoga: ‘As a sprinter, footballer and hockey player in my teens and early twenties, I used to be so self-conscious of my muscly legs. They gave me power on the field, but didn’t make me feel body positive. Understanding my body and incorporating muscle-lengthening exercises means I’ve been able to keep my athletic figure without bulking.’