15 Photos That Show Why You Shouldn’t Envy The “Bodies of Instagram”

If you scroll through your Instagram feed, you probably see a ton of polished, perfect looking photos of your friends and family showing off their best selves. After all, why wouldn’t people want others to see them in a positive light? Most of us don’t want to put up a picture of ourselves after we just wake up or while we’re eating out at a buffet.

The online world can be pretty cruel, and whether we admit it or not, many of us care what others think. Otherwise, why would we put filters on our photos or read through all the comments people leave us? So, we want to put our best selves forward, which might mean posing in ways that flatter our bodies or using Photoshop to enhance certain features.

If you find yourself feeling jealous or inferior after looking at Instagram photos, try to remember that Instagram and reality are two very different things.

Here are 15 photos that show why you shouldn’t envy perfect Instagram bodies:

1. A pose can make all the difference.

A post shared by Kathryn (@blonde.health) on Jul 19, 2017 at 4:51am PDT

2. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re beautiful no matter what!

A post shared by Sabrina Childers (@sabrinadchilders) on Nov 20, 2016 at 10:46pm PST

3. Instagram bodies should be celebrated, curves and all!

A post shared by Erin Dimond – Online Trainer (@erindimondfitness) on Aug 12, 2016 at 5:05pm PDT

4. As Katrine says, “Free the belly!”

A post shared by Katrine Gisiger (@katrine.gisiger) on Jul 9, 2017 at 10:52pm PDT

5. Your body weight will fluctuate, but your beauty will always remain.

A post shared by Anya (@anyamoves) on Jun 18, 2017 at 9:44am PDT

6. It’s perfectly okay and normal to have stretchmarks, so show them off!

A post shared by Julia (@fotonavjulia) on Feb 21, 2018 at 5:14am PST

7. PSA: It’s okay to have body fat. It does not make you ugly or inferior to anyone.

A post shared by Miriam Mullins® (@miriammullins_) on Jan 9, 2018 at 8:14am PST

8. Remember, the perfect Instagram body doesn’t even exist. Don’t get stuck in comparing.

A post shared by Probably eating or squatting (@cynthialeu) on Apr 11, 2017 at 7:44pm PDT

9. Instagram doesn’t always tell the whole story . . . but she looks great in both photos!

A post shared by Instagram vs. Reality (@_insta_reality_) on May 31, 2018 at 10:49am PDT

10. This woman looks brave, beautiful, and strong on Instagram and in reality!

A post shared by Ashlie Molstad ?? (@foodiegirlfitness) on Apr 9, 2017 at 11:36am PDT

11. Food, clothing, lighting, stress, and other factors can change how you look. Don’t stress!

A post shared by Brittani Rose (@brittanirose03) on Feb 1, 2017 at 4:41pm PST

12. The perfect Instagram body is looking at you in the mirror right now.

A post shared by EMILY SKYE Health + Fitness (@emilyskyefit) on Aug 11, 2016 at 5:19am PDT

13. Sucked in vs relaxed tummy; nothing wrong with being relaxed!

A post shared by Sara Puhto (@saggysara) on May 8, 2017 at 7:50am PDT

14. Both vegan booties look fabulous, don’t you agree?

A post shared by Sara Puhto (@saggysara) on Jul 8, 2017 at 5:09am PDT

15. Gotta love her body positivity!

A post shared by Katherine (RN, NASM-CPT) (@katbowmanfit) on Jul 12, 2017 at 10:00am PDT

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