Do You Know What the Average Woman's Body Really Looks Like?

I've blogged before about my struggles with a post-baby body. Even though that was in February and my son is now 6 months old, I continue to have body image issues. The tradeoff is worth it, but it's still hard for me to accept that my body will probably never again look like it did before I had 2 children.

One area that's particularly frustrating is my belly. And judging from comments and questions I see on SparkPeople's Message Boards, I'm not alone. Every day there are lots of people (mostly women) asking how they can flatten their tummies. Many have had children, but some haven't. Most aren't expecting a 6-pack, but they would like to be able to button their jeans without the "muffin top" coming out over the top of the pants. I would put myself into this category.

Two health educators have started a blog called The Belly Project. The idea is to help women gain more self-acceptance of their bodies (specifically, bellies) by sharing anonymous pictures for the whole world to see. The pictures of their bellies are accompanied by information about them (age, and number of pregnancies, miscarriages and abortions they have had). When the project began, the originators asked family and friends to show their bellies and pose for the camera. Many were hesitant, but as soon as they saw some of the other pictures already posted, they felt more at ease.

For some reason, I'm fascinated with these pictures. Maybe it comes from my fixation on my own belly, but it's nice to see that bellies come in all shapes and sizes. I can identify with some of them more than others (because they look more or less like me), but in the end, everyone is unique and no two bellies look exactly the same. So instead of being upset that I don't have the abs of a fitness model, maybe it's time to embrace my belly for what it is- my own.

I think I'm also fascinated because I'm not used to seeing what real women's bellies look like. We've become so accustomed to the airbrushed and Photoshopped pictures on the covers of magazines, that it's easy to forget those images aren't real. Stretch marks, loose skin, some extra weight--that's what the average woman really looks like. It's no wonder we feel bad about ourselves.

What do you think? Is your belly a source of frustration for you? Does The Belly Project help you embrace the uniqueness of your body?

Comments

1CRAZYDOG 1/17/2021

At age 66, I am aiming for health. If I have a pouch-y tummy, but I am fit and healthy, I'll accept it. I definitely won't have the body I did in my 20's, but it is functioning for me. I try to eat right and exercise to keep my core strong, and I get along with my body. Report

LESSOFMOORE 10/10/2020

Self-love is important! Report

PATRICIAAK 9/22/2020

:) Report

MUSICNUT 8/2/2020

Thanks for the great article! :) Report

ERIN_POSCH 7/19/2020

thanks for sharing Report

PATRICIAAK 7/12/2020

:) Report

PATRICIA-CR 7/6/2020

This is always welcome. Report

LINWINAGAIN

Awesome pictures! makes me love my body more, thank you! Report

PATRICIAAK

:) Report

NELLJONES

The very word "average" means none are alike. Report

FRAN0426

I do think all the photo shopped pictures of models and stars do more harm for women. Enjoyed the article Report

AQUAGIRL08

Thank you for writing this article! Report

NIKKI.1111

Belly project page just made me feel horrible about my belly. All those flat tummies even post pregnancy. I wish there was someone with a diastisis. Report

KATHYJO56

I love this blog- Report

LIS193

Great article! Report

KCTIGERTOM

True Report

ROSSYFLOSSY

Great perspective & motivation. Report

RO2BENT

You have articles like this and yet you post ads that are misleading Report

ALLIGARCIA1130

Yes love it Report

KHALIA2

If we look long and hard, all of us can find something that we don't like about ourselves. Thank you! Report

DJ4HEALTH

Thanks Report

SHASTA1991

My belly is my toughest part to work with. Some of thst Is due I think to having hystericemy. (Spelling) Report

NASFKAB

thanks for sharing Report

FROSIA_EST

So true! I obsess over my belly more than any other part. Maybe because it bears so many scars. Oh well, that's life. Some doctors just can't stitch us back the way we were. LOL Report

BECCABOO127

I saw one young lady with a belly like mine....an actual protruding belly! Ladies, please post your pics! We won't see the older ladies if you don't post! Report

BLESSEDBEING

I agree that it's sad there aren't more pix of mature women. I didn't see them all, but most were in their 20s, and most were on the slender side that I saw. And more colors would be nice as well. The lack of diversity made the sampling less effective for me. Report

NICKYRENEEHUNT

I love the diverse bellies. Some of them made me smile because I wish I had that tiny of a belly. I am glad for what I have though. I say I have Aphrodite's belly (even though Aphrodite has a cute little belly). Report

CD973701

It was so inspirational to look at all of the pictures of different bellies. It is so awesome to realize that there's such a variety in the world, and not just perfect lifeless covers. Report

IAMAUNTYEM

At 5'5" and 99 lbs I was embarrassed about my rounded belly until my art instructor (who happened to be a man) informed the class that, from the beginning of time, the rounded belly was the epitome of femininity. That statement did wonders for my self image. As for the muffin top? They go away when you wear the correct size. Unfortunately, my waist size and my hip size are not compatible, so I wear slim pants to fit my waist, which means they are not slim on the rest of my body, but no muffin top!. . .it's a trade off. 8-) Report

PAPAYAHEAD

nice to see many confident ladies in the comments! Report

MI-ELLKAYBEE

What is pathetic about this is that 48 was the oldest woman I saw...we are still here, and still care how we look after 48! This project is just like the magazines, just like the TV ads. Where are the real people? PS -I'm over 48...still a size 2 and proud of it!
It takes a lot of work Report

RILEYGRACE2015

I am a recently turned 51 year old with one son and have had 7 miscarriages, a hysterectomy and am going through menopause. I don't expect to look like anyone else or my former 20 year old self but I would like to be healthy without a muffin top. I do like that we are all different and wonderful in our own way. Report

CD10256529

Although I appreciate what this project is trying to accomplish, I found myself experiencing very mixed feelings as I viewed the pictures. The majority of the pictures are of very young women so it really didn't make me feel better about my belly. I turned 50 in June and after having three children, one at the age of 42, a hysterectomy, and going through menopause the last couple of years, to be perfectly honest this article didn't help my self-esteem one bit.

I just know for myself that I am going to continue to work hard to attain a belly that makes me happy and comfortable in my clothing. I know it will never look the way it did when I was in my 20s, but I will be healthy and that is all that matters! Report

MARTHA324

At age 65 and having gone through multiple weight gains and losses, my recent 80 lb weight loss has left me with loose skin. And I say "so what?" I work to build my core strength and accept I'll never have the flat tummy of my youth. Report

SARAANN73

Visiting Morocco, I had the opportunity to attend hammam with friends who live there. Think big steam room with women of all ages lounging and gossiping... in the nude. Comfortable with themselves. As the only Westerners present, my mom and I were blown away by the experience. Partly because we just don't do "naked" togetherness in the States. Locker rooms, maybe. But this was SUCH a different experience and brought home for me that we women come in all shapes and sizes, most of us have at least a little pooch or hip/thigh, and we are all--without exception--lovely creatures. Report

NANA-JEAN

I embrace my belly! I have had three pregnancies and 4 surgeries where I was cut side to side (2 births and 2 hysterectomies), plus 7 other procedures. When I workout consistently my belly shows it (flatter); I have flaws (loose skin, scars,ect) but they did not come easily. Report

TIDESONG

I look at all these bellies in the blog...and all I see is beauty. The women who think they are hideous, or don't like their scars, or their distended bellies...they are all beautiful. Bad thing is...I wouldn't think the same about my own belly if I posted it and saw it. I need to learn to see the beauty in my own body as much as I see the beauty in everyone else. (And I refuse to read the comments left on the blog. Body shaming has no place in such a project, but I know it'll be there!) I admire the women with the courage to post their pictures. Report

MBARNES64

I have always had what I call a built in "fanny pack". It was a small purse in my 20's. A hysterectomy and 30 years later, my upper fanny pack has a companion, the “lap bag". I once told a young child who was fascinated by the squishiness of my bellies, that it was my famine kit. Its purpose is to store fat for use as energy in the event a famine occurs. If Spark people every asks me to post my real body pic of my abdomen, I would do it. I have a sense of humor about it. If I had the dough I would see a plastic surgeon. Report

IAMSHE-RA

I will never have a flat belly. Even at 124 lbs (I'm 5'5") I had a belly. I've never had a baby so that's not an excuse, but I did weight 200 lbs when I was 14 years old. The upper belly pudge that used to be in 3 belly rolls is now only one, right above my belly button and it will NOT go away. Nothing works and it is a everyday frustration for me. I try not to let it bother me too much after all showing off my belly is not at all important in life. Report

DEBDRUMS

After I had a hysterectomy, my belly "blossomed". I decided if I'm going to have a belly, I'm going to use it! I began taking belly dance classes! I enjoyed them so much. Now I've moved and can't find any classes. I still dance at home. Report

MRSBLOVELEIGH

There's a lot of body shaming going on in the comments on the pictures on that blog. It's pretty awful. Report

TESENISIS1

I have recently started watching a UK series called How to Look Good Naked. A fashion designer, Gok Wan, takes real women on a few week journey into loving their bodies just the way they are. He helps them find the right sized undergarments and clothing that flatters their shape. He does no airbrushing, photoshopping or surgery for any of them...he simply wants women to start loving what they've got. It is amazing how we never really see ourselves the way others see us.

I would recommend this show to any woman who wants to glean tips and tricks for dressing your best and gaining an appreciation for your body just the way it is. Report

DORSKI

I accepted a long time ago that I will never have a flat belly. I am very short waisted so even when I weigh under my max weigh I still look like I am pregnant. My mother who is 80 and now weigh only 75 pounds still looks like she is at least 4 or 5 months pregnant. Report

ALEXESQ33

I don't understand why the blog has them list miscarriages and abortions...that seems odd to me, as neither stretches out your stomach (unless it was a miscarriage VERY late in pregnancy.) Am I missing something? Report

-SHOREIDO-

While I don't agree with this article I applaude you for putting it out there.
Many years ago I too was burdened with "childbirth" skin that torments me to this day (some 40 years ago).
No, for me accepting it was never an option and never will be.
As for dealing with it,exercise does help and depending on where you are on the age ladder you can tighten up things.
As an older woman my advise to have it surgically removed if you plan NOT to be birthing again. : )
Again, I am so happy to see this issue being given the attention it should.
-shoreido- @ SparkPeople.com. Report

PONDERON

To be honest, I find that blog shocking rather than reassuring...but that's probably just me.

I don't carry weight on my stomach; rather my thighs and butt.

I also see a lot of naked women in the changing rooms at the gym and swimming pool and most of them don't look anything like what is shown on that blog...

So; nope...don't find it inspiring in the slightest!

I think it would be wiser if everyone stopped trying to pretend anyone finds average inspiring...reassuring, sure; but inspiring people are the ones we either wish we could be or set our minds to be more like...

Looking at shots of average bodies does very little for most people's self esteem and just creates more unnecessary comparison in my humble opinion... Report

FUNNYGIRLJESS

I don't understand why women feel ugly when they're pregnant. It is the most special time a woman can go through.
We sacrifice our appearance for the kid, but why dwell on it, other than having hormones take over emotions. Pregnant women are beautiful. No question about it. Report

SHADOZA

Average does not equal healthy. Moving against the crowd here; I find it disturbing that many people expect everyone to accept their extra pounds or fat levels. We should love who we are, but we should not settle for what we have if we can do better. Report

KFREMLIN

Awesome article. Thanks for posting. Report

LESLIE1CVRN

I think the idea is great! Whether belly, hips, thighs, etc., most people have something they would love to change, to varying degrees I'm certain, in our heaviest & even thinnest moment. We are our own worst critics. Though a constant struggle for myself, and I know I'm not alone, every day is a chance to try to focus on all the wonderful things our bodies, in all shapes & sizes can do. Thank you to all who were brave enough to share photos! Report

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Do You Know What the Average Woman's Body Really Looks Like?

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