In middle school, a friend of mine playfully placed her hand on my lower belly as we strolled down the street, enjoying ice cream. “Oh wow, I love this!” she exclaimed, holding on tight. It was just the two of us, so I didn’t feel embarrassed; she was my closest friend. We had shared laughter in dressing rooms and tried on countless swimsuits together, always attempting to conceal my little belly pooch, but never with much success. Still, I couldn’t help but wish I could appreciate my belly the way she did. Her stomach was as flat as a board, making it easy for her to admire my curves, which were distinctly mine.
I’ve had a belly pooch for as long as I can remember. Even as a skinny child with long limbs, a gentle curve appeared just below my belly button. Once puberty hit, I quickly learned that indulging in my favorite foods resulted in added weight around my waist. While I had well-defined edges, I also had soft curves that I didn’t quite know how to love. Back then, I yearned for a body that didn’t include this little pooch.
Throughout high school, I typically hovered around a size 8, belly and all. I went through a phase where I believed I would love myself more if I could achieve a model-thin appearance, restricting my calories to a mere 1,200 a day. I shed about 20 pounds, but my belly remained—a reminder that my body was designed this way. No matter how much I deprived myself, that pooch wasn’t going anywhere. Eventually, I got tired of starving and accepted that while I still wished for flat abs, my belly was part of me.
Now that I’m in my 40s and have welcomed three wonderful children into my life, I’ve learned to embrace my belly. It’s here to stay. I run about 40 miles a week because I enjoy pushing myself, training for half marathons, and I feel that pooch with every stride. And you know what? It’s perfectly normal.
We often forget that “normal” has a wide spectrum, especially regarding our bodies. After giving birth, I moved up a few sizes, and that was okay. A friend of mine, after having her third child, felt down about going from a size 2 to a size 8, but she was still normal at both sizes. Another mom I know loves indulging in nachos and margaritas, taking leisurely walks to clear her mind. She rocks her size 12 and looks stunning—she is normal. My favorite model, Mia Reynolds, proudly showcases her beautiful curves, representing what’s normal. On the other hand, my sister-in-law thrives on competitive racing, sporting rock-hard abs with very little body fat, and she’s normal too.
We are all normal in our own ways. Each of us desires to look and feel our best, grappling with the unique genes we’ve been given. It’s easier to admire beauty in others rather than ourselves; we rarely scrutinize their flaws as harshly as we do our own. Our bellies, those sensitive and soft areas, serve vital functions—they protect our organs, are home to the delicious food we savor, and even nurture life. They deserve love, regardless of their shape or size. They are the heart of our beautiful bodies.
There’s no such thing as a perfect body—oh wait, there is: it’s the body we inhabit right now, in this very moment. Whether you have a thigh gap or a belly pooch, they’re all forms of perfection. So, start treating yourself with the same kindness you extend to your friends. You absolutely deserve it.
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Summary
Embracing our bodies, including belly pooches, is essential for self-acceptance. Each of us has unique curves and shapes that deserve love and appreciation. Normal is a broad spectrum, and we should celebrate all forms of beauty. Treat yourself with the same kindness you show to others, and remember that you are perfect just as you are.
Keyphrase: embracing body acceptance
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