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

KHALIA2 4/27/2018

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

DJ4HEALTH 3/2/2018

Thanks Report

SHASTA1991 8/21/2017

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

ZABELINA1

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

DLJONES50

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

CANDIECAIN69

The article and website really hit home for me. I too can identify with some of the pictures. I wish the media would start to embrace the average woman. Thank you for sharing. The women in those pictures are very brave! I wish I had the courage. Report

GADGETCC

Weird... I have the muffin top and a big scar that goes from one side of my belly to the other, yet it doesn't bother me as much as the flab on the back of my arms. Report

LADYDG

It sounds nice for all those who really feel really bad about their bellies. I don't want to embrace my belly, I learned not to hate it, cause I know it doesnt go away over night, but I also learned we don't have to except it for life. I feel as though if I embraced it I would never care if I lost it or not. And I do want to loose it for more than one reason. Health reason especially, the back and other areas just don't work so well with a big saggy belly on me. Maybe it's my body structure, I just am in pain and not able to do so much . I am very short and of a medium to small frame, the belly really gets in my way. And I feel so great when it has diminished. I am able to move around more etc. I am not trying to dis the belly project. I realize the importance of it, still I am not gonna sit back and be happy with what I have that is not motivation for me. And I am speaking just for me, no one else, and have no expectations of others to have the same feelings. Report

MAHOGHANI

I think I have mixed feelings on this. Some of the bellies of teenaged girls look the way I did when I was that age, very overweight but young enough for it to sort of be cute. It makes me sad because I hated my body so much then and though I definitely looked better then, before 3 pregnancies and the birth of one amazing healthy child, I have more confidence now at 30 than I did then at 15. I've talked about getting a tummy tuck but everytime I do my husband reminds me that I always say losing weight is about being able to do what I want to do and not about how I look. So I don't think that is in my future. He'd never let me live it down. Report

CANDACEMM

The belly project is amazing. I'm glad I stumbled across this blog ... I don't know if I would have found it otherwise. Report

SOAPSANDROPES

I love the belly project, even submitted a picture. People are all shapes and sizes, that is nice to know. Report

TBOURLON

My 22-yr old is about to have a baby, and she cries about the weight she's gained and the stretch marks. I think I'll put my flabby belly with the faded stretch marks & appendectomy scar on display - maybe I can talk her into doing it as well! Yeah, some of the under-20 pics are annoying, until you read the caption about "recovering from an eating disorder" - and I thought I had problems! To be so young & dealing with that, so sad! Of course, I am once again trying to "do something about my weight" and to "motivate" myself, I bought this Women's Health magazine with Maria Menous on the cover at what, a size 2? I don't want to be a size 2, an 8 would be great, but yes I'd love to have those abs of hers! As for the picture above, I wouldn't mind looking like the redhead in the center, but I suppose I should just want to look like ME as a size 8. I appreciate all the women who've posted pics on the Belly Project - THANKS!!! :) Report

MISSRUTH

I looked through loads of the pictures at the Belly Project. imo it's important to read the captions on the photos-- there are a bunch of teenage girls (never pregnant) and some of those are recovering from eating disorders. It would be a serious mistake to just look at the pictures and then compare your 30 or 40 or 50 year old post-babies body to a 16 year old girl with an eating disorder.

I don't think it's meant to be something to "aspire" to-- as in, that 16 year old looks great and I (at 58) *ought* to look like that. Or, wow, that 30 year old gal has a huge belly so it's okay if I give up on the abs exercises and watching what I eat. Personally I see it as just, "real-life people look like.... this". All shapes and sizes and scars and stretch marks and cellulite. And YAY for the brave woman who photgraphed herself with her colostomy bag in the shot.

Personally I feel better about my own belly after looking at the photos. It's almost a relief to see pictures of real people, instead of just the bikini bods of celebrities splashed all over the place. My belly is a lot better than it used to be, although it's never going to look like a 16 year old's.

I wish Sparkpeople would use more models to illustrate their articles etc, who did not have "perfect" bodies. imo this website is just as guilty of portraying a healthy lifestyle as always meaning skinny arms and legs and a flat belly and no cellutlite etc-- as all the other fitness & women's magazines and websites etc. I'm willing to bet not a single one of the gals they use in their pictures is larger than a size 6. Report

OAKASHANDTHORN

Yes! I am 66 years old, am overweight, and have real issues with my belly, which purtrudes and has bumps and seams.

I MUST get my photos upped to the Belly Project!

I would like to see more women post photos who are older and whose bodies have gone through a lot of life.

Very refreshing, and makes me feel more accepting of my body which is NOT the type we see in film and on magazine covers. Report

SIMPLYDEVINE1

I have not met a woman who does not feel that her belly is a problem area, including myself. Thanks for the information on the Belly Project. I do think that education and awareness help us (especially women) to embrace a more realistic body image. So many images are thrown at us from birth that we tend to cling to those images even though they don't represent our mothers, sisters, aunts, girlfriends or our own selves. REAL WOMEN. Love it!! Report

IUBOOKLOVER

I'm 58 and very overweight, and I've always hated my post-C-section (x 2) belly, with its miles of stretch marks, but seeing what other women REALLY look like makes me feel a little bit better. Being female, I would, of course, still like for it to be smaller (as another poster said, we're our own worst critics), but this has helped squelch the self-loathing. Great idea, and thanks, both for the project, and the women who took photos of themselves! Report

CLRWILLIAMS25

this is such a great article! I am definitely sharing the link to the belly project to my sisters. I know that we've each had our fair share of body image issues. I wish I had seen this as a teen. Thankfully, I have a chance to show them while one is still a teen. Report

KARBEAR04

for me, my belly is not an area where I am particularly self-conscious. I'm more concerned about my thighs and legs... If there could be a project of women showing off thighs and legs, I think that would help me understand what is truly average. Report

FISHER011

interesting... Report

EX-SKINNY60

Oh, I came back for another comment. We ladies need to change FASHION DESIGNERS so that they will accommodate our beautiful bellies...or at least give us more material to HIDE them! LOL!!! Report

EX-SKINNY60

What is wrong with us is that we women compare ourselves to each other, and the men in our lives DON"T! I am a pleasingly plump 61 year old and had 8 children and a partial hysterectomy at age 39, and just recently had an umbilical hernia repaired. Can you gals imagine what MY belly looks like? But, ladies, my 64 year old husband thinks I look just fine, and can still chase me around the bedroom. Also, to make you all really feel good, years ago I read a magazine article where a columnist was talking about Marilyn Monroe and he got down right erotic describing her BELLY! It's the truth! I was around then, before some of you sweet young things were even born. Guys really LOVE voluptuous women! Report

QNINA1000

Looks to me like a lot of you have 1. not looked at very many of the photos on that website if you think they are all people with no belly problems, and 2. you've missed the point if all you've done is look at the ones that are nicer than yours and become depressed. I suggest you look some more. Use your browser's Find function to search for the text string An Huynh and read the article that is posted among the pictures. Report

MARGARITTM

Thanks for the great blog and sharing the site. .......hmmmmm aren't we all just our worse critics!!!! We would never let our friends be talked about the way we talk about ourselves! Report

MOINSDEMOI

It is amazing how different our bodies are. What a wonderful idea Belly Project is to make us aware that we really are the norm and beautiful in our own way. I now have a better appreciation for my 59 year-old belly I always wished was firmer and flatter and smaller and ... now is lovely. Report

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

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