As it being the beginning of September, fall is just around the corner, if not already here (the weather can arguably change whether that’s true or not–seriously, it’s still pretty hot here in Los Angeles). Studies are rolling in, work’s picking up the pace, and priorities are being arranged. However, that does NOT mean health and fitness have to be sacrificed in the process.
With that being said, I wanted to create a list of my favorite Instagram accounts pertaining to health and fitness. I already created three extensive lists of my favorite health and fitness YouTubers (under 100K, under 500K, and over 500K) and wanted to do the same with who I’m following on Instagram, AKA my favorite photo phone app! Layout is pretty much the same–three of my personal favorite posts from each account.
However, I will only make one list of my health and fitness faves, as I don’t follow as many Instagrammers as YouTubers. On the other hand, this will definitely NOT be the last compilation of favorite Instagram accounts. I already am working on my lists of food-related Instagrammers, self-love/recovery Instagrammers, and maybe even holistic health Instagrammers!
These individuals all exude many qualities that I am drawn towards–all are different but all are valuable. Whether these people are creative, brutally honest, balanced, driven, ambitious, realistic, or even just incredibly talented at what they do (cooking, taking pictures, coming up with all kinds of crazy exercise routines, etc.), I adore them all. Without further ado, I am so glad to share my favorite health and fitness Instagrammers below! Do share YOUR recommendations as well–I would love to know!
No list would be complete without Stephanie Joshi. This girl, my golly, evokes an incredibly persona. She is bubbly, charming, happy-go-lucky, easygoing, sociable, and exudes a lifestyle that everybody strives for: one that doesn’t require any sacrifices and can pretty much accomplish all. Stephanie’s feed often centers on how it is indeed possible to balance work, fitness, and an enriching social life simply by prioritizing intelligently. Most importantly, her message embodies how you need to LOVE everything that you do. Only workout because you love your body, not because you hate it. Don’t sabotage your fitness goals out of insecurity, but pursue them out of a hunger to improve. Not to mention–her Instagram isn’t called Nutty Foodie Fitness for nothing. Much of her feed showcases some insanely epic eats, such as loaded Chipotle salads, sky-high protein mugcakes, detailed donuts, vibrant burgers (though I’m only attracted to the sweet potato fries next to them), and LOTS of peanuts and peanut butter!
Miss Lee is another favorite Instagrammer of mine for many reasons. She promotes scientifically accurate and zero B.S. information in regards to fitness and nutrition. With this in mind, Sohee is brutally honest with how she trains her clients and what she truly believes is the healthiest and most sustainable for anyone. People automatically assume that willpower is the key to success. Contrary to popular belief, it’s consistency. Maintaining a sustainable routine with patience and diligence leads to the most ideal results at the most ideal pace.
Similarly to Stephanie and Sohee, Carter Good places a heavy accentuation on maintaining a balanced lifestyle. However, he has a particular emphasis on tracking macros to utilize flexibility in food to lose weight. There’s a great deal in knowledge, especially if it can be used for your advantage. Carter’s platform embodies how experience is valuable, but application is even more powerful. With that being said, more people should follow his steps and use facts to inform and lift others up rather than make others feel like they are not good enough. In addition, he truly embraces his relationship with food, even if it may seem a bit more indulgent than the “bro-science” classic.
No one has ever crossed the fitness industry without hearing about Kayla Itsines or BBG. Seriously, Kayla has constructed an empire out of a handy fitness guide that has enabled others to transform their lives and their bodies for the absolute best. While Kayla has a killer body, she loves showing off the before-and-after shots of her followers online even more. Like how her guides indicate, her training style is challenging yet extremely efficient. Only 28 minutes a day, four times a week with some cardio days in-between. My favorite aspect about her program is that it doesn’t skimp on weight lifting at all! She really encourages lifting heavily to achieve the best results. Gains aren’t made out of light-weights!
Seeing professionals in the fitness and nutrition industry making it big on social media is always a sight to behold. Dietitian Deanna truly exemplifies how there is so much strength in showcasing your knowledge and wisdom to many, many others through Instagram. Not only are her photos absolutely stunning, her pictures also never fail to inspire others to heal their relationship with food, whip up creative and healthy meals, develop a sustainable exercise routine, and enjoy other aspects of life aside from food and working out. Like many others, Deanna is set out for basking in the joys of celebrating the present moment and seeking balance. More RDs and certified nutritionists need to promote inclusion rather than exclusion.
Bold, beautiful, and all-smiles, Mary Tran of Maryish is the ultimate fitness package. Finding Asian influencers killing it on social media is absolutely dazzling, and Mary is no exception! Her Instagram feed is truly one-of-a-kind for those who compete on a regular basis and want the fundamentals of exercise and nutrition. What truly stands out to me is her advice on other incredibly vital outlets of life–time management, integrating healthy relationships, inspiring others, and creating the life you have always dreamed of. Health and fitness may center mostly around dieting and exercise, the micro-managements of the rest of your life ultimately help you maintain those factors. That’s what Mary’s platform completely signifies.
Know someone who has been through a LOT and has transformed completely because of it? Josie Mai is most certainly one of the best role models for sharing how lifestyle changes can really impact the quality of existence. From developing anorexia and orthorexia to binge-eating to IIFYM, Josie exudes how, at the end of the day, the world expands so much farther than maintaining a particular body size and following a particular regimen–specifically via her #ModerationNotDeprivation movement. Nothing else matters aside from how much love you can offer and how you feel about you and your life. Additionally, I absolutely adore her “Josie Blabbles” Instagram captions as they are raw and insightful. They mostly focus on finding balance, forming a loving relationship for yourself, and appreciating every up and down that comes your way.
Whoever believes that yoga isn’t a physically taxing sport clearly has never tried it. Personally, I am NOT a regular when it comes to this form of exercise, but Sjana Elise never fails to share major yoga inspiration. There is so much strength and poise in her videos, which also bring a great deal of serenity and peace. Aside from yoga practices, Sjana uploads heaps of the most beautiful nature-oriented pictures that capture beauty, adventure, and exploration of the world. She truly has a remarkable free spirit through anything she does–whether it be her vibrant smile, her interaction with others, or her graceful poses.
Want to know another word for “powerhouse”? Chontel. Specifically, Chontel Duncan. A woman of ambition, drive, optimism, and mother of TWO children (TBH I would have never guessed from her washboard abs), Chontel is truly a Wonder Woman-like Instagram figure. Her programs have enabled others to transform their lives and strengthen their bodies, plus her actual workouts are similar to mine in which they integrate HIIT and strength training for the most efficient routines! Aside from being a fitness instructor, Chontel is also an amazing mother, constantly nurturing her children and expressing how much she adores parenting. She’s truly magnificent!
Another mother and fitness goddess worth mentioning is Lynsee Hee Kyeong! Based in Miami, Lynsee is a serious bad-ass wherever she goes. Heck, the photo below executes her trying to squat with two plates of food while carrying her adorable son Taejin! She also has a YouTube channel that shares a lot of health related content, but also includes fun cheat day videos and other interactions with Taejin. As for her Instagram, Lynsee captures the most beautifully edited and authentic pictures. I adore her food porn shots and her transformation pics, both exemplifying weight loss and muscle gains. Guaranteed, you’ll gain value out of many of her photos!
Holy smokes, I absolutely love Tyra. She truly exudes beauty and health in every form–fitness, food, veganism, and traveling. Tyra’s platform heavily centers around plant-based cooking, balancing fitness while studying and traveling, and exploring many parts of the world such as Australia and Malaysia. One of her most famous recipes is the baked lentil cake–a dish that I’ve been meaning to try for FOREVER (apparently it should work with black beans too, so I can start with that first!)! Like countless other women, Tyra shares a history with an eating disorder and a distorted relationship with food and body image. Her ED-related captions are most certainly thoughtful, especially when reflecting on the positive changes in her life. Whether you are captivated by a killer physique update or a vibrant food photo, Tyra’s Instagram is definitely worth following.
Elena’s Instagram screams the art of changing your life for the better. Her feed is flooded with transformation pictures, inspiring quotations about mental health and balance, and real-life examples of her healthy lifestyle such as exercises and food hauls. The most consistent quality in her photos is her positivity. Seriously, I have NOT seen a photo where she isn’t smiling! What I also love about Elena is that she shares her progress while following along her own programs with her clients. There is such power in her authenticity that no one else can replicate. Her photos are very genuine but also beautifully captured. Nothing can beat that!
An avid BBG member, Kath of the Sweat River embodies self-love, happiness, action, health, and authenticity. She constantly posts selfies post-BBG with a smile, which is truly motivating for anyone who struggles to get their butt into the gym. Also, her food photos…oh my gosh, are incredibly bright and colorful–so appealing to the eye. Both her indulgences and her healthy meals look delicious! Overall, Kath is a beautiful soul and role model for those getting into health and fitness, as well as wanting to find a positive gain from it. Dedication, precision, and enthusiasm are Kath’s keys to success. Those, my friends, ring very true.
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