When you hear the words ‘body positivity’, you’re instantly reminded of curvy women who are happy with their body image. However, body positivity isn’t limited to the shape of your body. It’s now a social movement to promote acceptance and love for oneself. It has a much deeper, broader meaning that emphasises loving one’s own body, regardless of physical ability, size, gender, race, or appearance. Being body positive means loving who you are, as you are. It instills a deeper thought process in us that shows us that the things often labelled as ‘flaws’ are, in fact, the qualities that make us unique. We went online to search for some of the most inspiring women and came across these amazing body positive influencers on Instagram. Check them out.

1. Harnaam Kaur (@harnaamkaur)

Living with PCOD is tough, but Harnaam Kaur turned her situation around for the better. She took her struggle with PCOD as a mission to not only be positive about it but also inspire thousands of other young women. In fact, she’s the first-ever woman in the Guinness Book of World Records to grow a full beard. She’s among our favourite body positive influencers!

 

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Most days, like today, i’m fresh faced !! I love skin care products- I’d rather have a solid skin care regime over wearing make up every day! When I used to get my face fully waxed at a young age, I used to be left with scabs, marks, stretched out skin, blemishes, dryness, it used to itch too! I hated it so much! Waxing, shaving, tweezing and using various hair removal creams on my face was the worst decision ever!- my skin was hurt ! Exfoliating, natural oils, great moisturisers and drinking lots of cold water everyday helped clear my skin of all impurities, blemishes and scarring! I cherish my skin now 💙 I’ve tagged some companies and skin care brands whose products I have previously used ! X

A post shared by Harnaam Kaur (@harnaamkaur) on Apr 19, 2020 at 7:54am PDT

Related: Endometriosis: A Disorder That Affects 25 Million Women In India But Remains Underdiagnosed

2. Neha Parulkar (@nehaparulkar)

Neha’s Instagram bio defines her as ‘Plus & Proud’, and rightly so! A plus-sized model in India, Neha has been a constant driving force, inspiring thousands of women to simply love themselves and not get trapped in the social constraints of ‘body consciousness’.

 

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💪 WONDER WOMAN! 💪 Be your own superhero, the costume is optional! . . P.s I know you can see my cellulite, I also don’t care! . . You know at times people tell you “oh you have such a pretty face and such good height, just reduce weight and you’ll look like a model” I have had so many of these for literally all my life. Earlier (when I was defenceless and insecure) I used to just smile and nod and cry inside. There have been times when I have done something really amazing in life – a good score in exams, or some competition I won or something to be proud of, but that was never accountable. The fact that I have FAILED as a “hot chick with kick-ass body” was only a talking point. I mean who cares if I was a good girl or good daughter or a good student or a great employee… Naah! No body cared about that. How can I be walking around with this giant ass body with a smile and not care was something people couldn’t digest. Now when someone says shit like “get thin and you’ll look amazing” I easily reply “I don’t need your views on my body, moreover I am great just the way I am, atleast I am a good human being and for me that’s enough” **MicDrop** I have come to this realisation that no one and literally NO ONE has the right to put me down. I am not saying be starkly. I am saying that you will always find such people around you. They might mean well, but if that “well” is something that makes you feel miserable, then don’t take it. Try it! Defend yourself, you’ll see the difference. Woah, hey! Not the difference in them… The difference in you! ♥️ . . . . . . . . . #Unafraid #PlusAndProud #BeautyBeyondSize #effyourbeautystandards #CelebrateMySize #honoryourcurves #bodypositivity #bopo #bopowarrior #bodypositive #BodyPositivityInfluencer #Fighter #Boss #BossLady #bossbabe #iamenough #plussize #curvygirl #stopbodyshaming #allbodiesaregoodbodies #selflove #GoodVibes #Positivity #TakeNoShit #Beautiful #plussizemodel #plussizeinfluencer #swimsuit #plussizeswimsuit #swimwear

A post shared by Neha Parulkar | Plus & Proud (@nehaparulkar) on Jun 5, 2020 at 12:26am PDT

3. Payal Soni (@_payalsoni_)

If you ever thought curvy women couldn’t be fashionistas, well, you couldn’t be more wrong! Payal Soni is a clear example of how a fashionista is an exciting amalgamation of being badass and stylish!

 

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READ… I am a person who is vulnerable and have never been ashamed of sharing this side of me… why should I be, right? This is the platform where I am not only allowed to influence or share my happy side but also those days where I don’t feel productive, where the blues take over and not so good days. Even though things are not going well in this major situation (FOR MANY OF US). Still, I am trying to love myself more each and every day by trying out new things, Protecting my mind from negative energies, and focusing on kindness and positivity which is all around us. Also, entertaining myself with crazy and sometimes weird things which I always do! 😛 You all should try to do as well. Well, I am writing this not for any sympathy or any mental health gyaan but for letting my emotions out and to let you all know that yes, not everything that you see on social media is real or relevant, everyone is going through something which you aren’t aware of it, so never compare yourself with anyone and always be kind to yourself and others. Theek Hai!! Chalo Love you all, pappiyaan aur jappiyaan! 😘🤗

A post shared by PAYAL SONI (@_payalsoni_) on Jul 9, 2020 at 5:27am PDT

4. Tahira Kashyap Khurrana (@tahirakashyap)

Tahira is a woman who needs no introduction. Her will power and strength has given confidence to thousands of other women. A cancer survivor, Tahira’s Instagram account radiates positivity not just for her body but for the gift of life.

 

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A small something I have written…. #nationalcancersurvivorsday . . Some scars are deep, some within, Some are seen while some are hidden. The thing about scars is , it reminds you of the past, The moments of suffering that you thought would forever last. But there’s more to these Goddamn scars, They are Secrets hidden far away, just like the stars. It’s the Truth which you don’t see with the naked eye, Oblivious to the functioning of the world, a blatant lie. But hear me, there’s more to this scar, It talks also about the fight, the resilience and your invincible power. My love and respect to those who fought, The treacherous battlefield that Few crossed while some got lost. But the thing with this health karma is that everyone is a winner, For it’s the fight that counts whether you an expert or a beginner. The fight with cancer is not just physical but also mental, Some battles are more tough to conquer especially if they are internal. But hear me again, we all have that fighter which has the universe’s might, The indomitable spirit that can’t be crushed by any fright. Hide not your scars my love, Show them, flaunt them, just like your bright smile, soothing to others eyes, And when you do that time and again giving people nowhere to run and hide, they will have to fall in love with your badge of honour, your prize. So hear me one last time, Fall in love with your self, All with dust, scar and grime. For that’s what make you, YOU Faulty, imperfect, blemished but all true! Lensed by @atulkasbekar who captures the soul! Thank you for this ❤️

A post shared by tahirakashyapkhurrana (@tahirakashyap) on Jun 6, 2020 at 11:27pm PDT

5. Rupi Kaur (@rupikaur_)

Rupi Kaur is a name that’s synonymous with poetry and the magic of words that tell a story. Her personal stories, however, make her one of the top body positive influencers on Instagram who make us fall in love with ourselves.

 

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mhm.

A post shared by rupi kaur (@rupikaur_) on Mar 1, 2018 at 7:48pm PST

6. Laxmi Agarwal (@thelaxmiagarwal)

We’ve known her as a strong acid attack survivor. We have also watched her life story portrayed on the big screen by Deepika Padukone. Laxmi is a woman of strength and resilience who gives hope, love, and strength to every person who goes through such monstrosities in life. We love her as not only one of our favourite body positive influencers but also as an inspirational woman to follow!

 

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संघर्ष में आदमी अकेला होता है, सफलता में दुनियां उसके साथ होती है, जिस-जिस पर यह जग हंसा है, उसी ने इतिहास रचा है….

A post shared by Laxmi Agarwal (@thelaxmiagarwal) on Jul 14, 2020 at 12:07am PDT

7. Sakshi Sindwani (@stylemeupwithsakshi)

Have you ever looked at someone and wondered, “Woah! I love how she carries herself with so much confidence”? Well, Sakshi does make us feel that way because OH MY GOD! She’s not only a body positive model but is also an amazing style icon.

 

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There’s something about old dated sarees! They NEVER go out of style.❤️ I’ve learnt to appreciate my mom’s wardrobe and the gems i find in it! She’s had this saree for over 25-30 years and it still looks like brand new! I’m telling you, you never have to buy a new saree in your life if your mom has a good collection! • Here’s a mixture of 4 modern, royal, bohemian and urban looks! • I know you’ll have questions about how i draped the 4th style, it’s on @gopalikavirmani page! Check it out! • Song is : Lathe di chadar @nehabhasin4u #sareestyle #saree #sareedraping #sareelove #sarees #sareesofinstagram #indiandesigner #indianwear #stylingvideo #howtostyle #howtodrapeasaree #howto #fashiontutorial

A post shared by Sakshi Sindwani (@stylemeupwithsakshi) on Jun 5, 2020 at 5:42am PDT

8. Bani (@banij)

If you’re a woman who loves to work out and lift, chances are that you’ve been ridiculed by your peers because “ladkiyan muscular hoke mardaana lagti hain.” Gurbani Judge, better known as Bani J, is one woman who breaks such stereotypes every day.

 

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A How to: in gains and deaths. Low 🔑 proud of how consistent I’ve been with training and training hard. Though the hard is thanks to @lil_kimble_ hands down. I could’ve waited to post heavier weights as this is just week 1 but with all the non real ass content out there I kinda really needed to put my phone down and get back to why I even got onto the gram. Good ol’ *progressive* lifting vids because dude let’s be real, nothing beats hard work and sweat equity 🌶💪🏼🤙🏼 #headdown #dowork #sweatequity #LIFTLIFE #womenwholift #deathLifts #clustersets

A post shared by ⚡Lady RocknRolla ♥ (@banij) on Jul 9, 2020 at 6:54am PDT

Related: Girls Who Lift – Instagram Stars Share Pro Tips for Heavy Weight Training

9. Tanvi Geetha Ravishankar (@thechubbytwirler)

Voice of Body Positivity and Feminist AF – this is how Tanvi describes herself in her Instagram bio. We really don’t need to say much now, do we?

 

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Love the Skin you’re in 💜 Part 1 : Cellulite 🍑 It’s Normal ! 💯 It’s normal to have it , not just for women with bigger bodies but for women who are thinner and hell , for men too ! 🌻 Society wants you to feel that these bumps and dimples on your body are disgusting just so that they can make billions off of making you feel horrible about yourself ! ✔️ Our bodies aren’t plastic , they’re real and real bodies have cellulite ! These aren’t flaws ! You aren’t unhealthy or unfit if you have cellulite…🙌🏻 Don’t let these expensive treatments , surgeries , creams and products brainwash you into making you feel like shit and thinking that you’re not Beautiful ! ❌ There’s no such thing as a Perfect Body / Skin…❎ There’s Photoshop , Plastic Surgery , Lighting and Filters ✅ 🤗💜🤗💜🤗💜🤗💜🤗💜🤗 . Inspired by @alexlight_ldn 🌻 . 🤗💜🤗💜🤗💜🤗💜🤗💜🤗 Being a model , my work requires me to have photos with my skin smoothened on my profile but I’m also an advocate for Bodypositivity and Self Love and I thought doing this series was important . Stay Tuned for Part 2…⏳

A post shared by Tanvi Geetha Ravishankar (@thechubbytwirler) on Jun 19, 2020 at 6:19am PDT

If you know of more amazing women who inspire you to love yourself as you are, do tweet to us at @allabouteve_in because we would love to include them in our list of badass women!

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