To me, there's something very exciting about midriffs - and when I saw pictures of women clutching their midriffs, it became very clear why. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been advised to “lose belly fat now ” in everything from going to the grocery store to turning on the TV. Whether it's the tabloids screaming at me while I'm waiting in line at the checkout line to purchase my favorite Entenmann product, or the barrage of Nutrisystem commercials during prime time, the obsession with biting, stuffing, sucking, and hiding tummies seems to play a part in the contemporary world It is inevitable. However, for those of us who aren't entirely sold on having an entire group consider only one body type beautiful, embracing your midriff has arguably become even more important.
While people don't have to strip naked and proudly display their nudity to the world to be body positive or prove their alliance with the body pose community, a good belly selfie holds a lot more power than you might think. The reality is, bellies (especially big ones) are stigmatized. I'm almost certain it's because all fat is insulted, so our stomachs—usually the most visibly fat part of us—end up taking most of the body's hate. However, as with any target of shaming, bullying or marginalization, one of the best ways to take back what has been torn down is to embrace it.
When a photo pops up on my Instagram feed of someone proudly touching, shaking, slapping, or grabbing belly fat, I can't help but feel hopeful. To be honest, I feel like this all the time, no matter how sallow, saggy, wrinkly or petite you are, the reason is simple, body image issues affect everyone and leave yourself exposed (especially a body that is constantly being shamed) parts). mainstream) is difficult to do. But because of the reality of thin privilege and fat hatred, there's a special power in a fat person showing off their belly unapologetically.
Here are 15 beautiful photos of women clutching their bellies and shrugging off what trolls have to say.
1. Navel Love
I'm fascinated by the position of Stephanie's right hand. If you ask me, the belly button is a completely underrated body part. Her entire demeanor and radiant smile exudes an air of total self-love.
2. Relax and stretch
Bustle's own Ready to Stare's Alysse Dalessandro does something particularly empowering here. Since the shot is more of a close-up, we can see her admiring her baby bump and elastic band. Everything about this photo is beautiful - including her charming smile and very cute pose.
3. Squeeze it
Aspiring model and blogger Jewelz happily admits that she loves playing with her baby bump while showing it her love for the world (or Instagram, which is basically the same thing). It's not easy to openly admit that you find attraction in body parts covered in social stigma, but this woman shows us why it's important to do it anyway.
4. Confident posture
To me, the way author, blogger, and model Courtney Mina orchestrated this belly-scratching campaign is nothing short of powerful. Her posture is confident but not arrogant. She's not afraid to own her sexuality and emphasize the unique beauty (and sex appeal) that fat bodies possess.
5. Handle
In this photo, Samantha manages to give some love to her belly and love handles - the latter being another body part we're told is "problematic" and certainly needs to be eradicated. It's amazing how fearless she is in showing off her body confidence in public.
6. Confession of love
In this unforgettable fatkini photo from August 2014, Tess Holliday shares her journey to self-love, which focuses on learning to appreciate her midriff. Discovering your beauty, sensuality and uniqueness is definitely a journey worth taking.
7. Cheer up
Fat Girl Flow's Corissa belly scratching video is perfect. The title "It's Just a Belly, Y'all" couldn't be more true. Our bellies have nothing to do with our worth or worth. Our bellies don’t make us good or bad people. Choosing to make them more than just body parts doesn't help anyone. more importantly? Corissa’s passion for freeing her belly continues today:
8. Belly Pride
Fatty Boom Tatty's Sam Roswell is now taking control of her tummy. It's an in-your-face gesture, which is what makes it so cool. Instead of teaching fat women and men to hide their bodies, those who are fat-shamed should be taught to let go of that shame.
9. Underwear selfie
Mel Chillag pats her belly seemingly with love and respect, reminding us that our bellies deserve a little love, too. We often forget to treat them well, but it’s never too late to start.
10. Poke and scratch
Emerald shared the photo on Tumblr with the caption discussing the policing of women's bodies. She wrote: "Body equality is important to me and I never want to stop challenging those old and harmful ways of thinking. I want to help shape a world where a woman doesn't have to stand up for her right to wear a midriff-baring top if she wants to Tops or underwear.” I’ll let those words stand on their own.
11. Model behavior
Model Megan Kimberling shared this photo on National Lingerie Day, asking trolls a simple question: "Try reflecting on why you feel the need to judge others. What issues are you blatantly projecting? On someone else?" She confronts those who feel it's their responsibility to make fat people feel insignificant, and displays some bi-belly pride in the process.
12. Cuddle before bed
Bustle's Jodie Layne gives new meaning to the term "tummy time," and I love everything about it. Spending some alone time with your body—getting to know it and loving it—is so important to body positivity.
13. Pat gently
Diana of Fashion Loves Photos is here to reinterpret the concept of the power pose. I love how she places her hands firmly on her belly, drawing attention to this part of the body that is often associated with shame and guilt. There is nothing shameful about this photo, as there is nothing shameful about any belly or any body.
14. Withdrawal from the catering industry
Lucia from U Can't Wear That is giving me all the feels right now. From her T-shirts to winning them all, to her striking and unapologetic poses, I just want to frame her flawlessness.
15. Shameless snatching
I love how sweet and cheeky YouTube vlogger Brittney is about scratching her belly. It's clear that she treats her body with a lot of affection and play, which I personally think is something we should all aspire to more.
At the end of the day, body positivity is about more than just midriffs and more than plus-size visibility. But for many people, these are two very important components. A photo of an empowered fat person can say so much, whether it's an iPhone selfie or a professionally shot photo, it's amazing. Sometimes all it takes to kickstart your body positivity journey is taking a picture of something you're afraid of or told you should be afraid of. These women don't just post photos of their gorgeous midriffs: they post entire philosophies. This is what the world desperately needs.
It’s time we #freethebelly, y’all.
Image: Courtney Mina, Sam Roswell, Mel C, Emerald Shaw, Jodie Layne, Diana Thompson, xBrittney89, Marie Southard Ospina courtesy of nerdabouttown / Instagram
