In junior high, as I savored a soft serve with my best friend, she placed her hand on my lower belly and exclaimed, “Wow, I love this!” It was just the two of us, so I felt no embarrassment about her affectionate gesture. We had shared countless moments, from giggling in the Macy’s dressing room to trying on swimsuits that did little to conceal my little belly. I admired her flat stomach and wished I could feel the same way about mine.
I’ve always had a bit of a belly. Even as a slender child, there was always a curve just below my belly button. After hitting puberty, I quickly realized that indulging in my favorite foods would lead straight to my midsection rather than my thighs. While I had defined edges, I also had soft curves, and I longed for a body that didn’t feature a belly.
In high school, I typically wore a size 8, belly and all. I went through a phase where I thought being model-thin would make me happier, cutting my calories down to 1,200 a day. I lost about 20 pounds, but my belly persisted, reminding me that it was a part of who I am. No amount of deprivation could make it disappear, and eventually, I learned to embrace it, even as I still wished for flat abs.
Now in my 40s, after bringing three amazing children into the world, I’ve fully accepted my belly. It’s here to stay. I run 40 miles a week for the challenge and to train for half marathons, and I feel my belly during every run—and that’s perfectly normal. I am normal.
It’s important to recognize that “normal” comes in many shapes and sizes. After having kids, I went up a few sizes, and that was okay. A friend felt down after transitioning from a size 2 to a size 8, but she too was normal at both sizes. Another mom I know, who relishes nachos and margaritas, walks for her mental health, and rocks a size 12, is stunning and absolutely normal. My favorite model, Lily, proudly displays her beautiful curves—she is normal. And my sister-in-law, a competitive racer with rock-hard abs, is also normal.
We are all unique, and we all want to feel our best. We grapple with the genetics we’ve been given, often finding it easier to appreciate beauty in others rather than ourselves. We don’t critique others the way we do ourselves, and that’s unfair.
Our bellies, soft and protective, nurture the food we enjoy and, for many, cradle our babies. They deserve love, regardless of their shape or size. There’s no such thing as a perfect body—except for the one we inhabit at this very moment, whether it has a belly pooch or chiseled abs. Treat yourself with the love you extend to your friends; you deserve it.
For more insights on embracing motherhood and body positivity, check out our other blog posts on home insemination, or explore resources like ASRM for pregnancy and home insemination guidance. You can also learn more about self insemination techniques at Make a Mom.
In conclusion, it’s vital to celebrate our bodies as they are, with all their unique characteristics. Everyone has their own journey, and we should cherish the diverse beauty that exists in all of us.