Would You Share Photos of Your Bare Belly with the World?

Posted 12/05/11 at 06:09AM by Audrey Fine

I used to have a fantastic stomach. It was flat, taut, and tan, with the perfect little innie belly button.

I'm not bragging. It's not like I did sit-ups or starved myself to get it -- I just hit the genetic jackpot. And then ... I got pregnant. With twins. And gained 96 freaking pounds. And my stomach, my wonderful stomach, became a distant memory.

Thankfully, there are plenty of photos of my formerly resplendent torso so that I can use to prove to myself, and my (now 9-year-old) kids, that this stretched out, flobby mess (that's flab + glob) used to be pretty great.

I don't know why I care so much. It was just a stomach after all. I'm not usually the vain type, but somehow that beautiful belly was important to me.

That's why I marvel at the women seen here, who stepped up and sent photos of their stomachs into xojane.com's "Real Girl Belly Project." Some are fit and fab -- most are not. And that's what's so empowering about the gallery. These women are PROUD of their tummies regardless of how they look -- they tell stories, prove points, mark milestones.

In this world of Photoshop mania, I find this incredibly refreshing. (Click here to read about the cool new Photoshop tool that will let users gauge how re-touched images are.)

Now, if I just had the guts to lift my shirt, click, and submit. Would you?

And the survey says...

1-6 of 7 Comments

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Posted by EricaC123 on 12/29/12 at 05:01pm

Yes I still would

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Posted by MssDani on 03/29/12 at 02:14pm

Umm.. No. I do give props to the women that did though!!

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Posted by beautybody on 03/25/12 at 09:23pm

My stomach isn't as hard as it used to be, but it feels a little nicer than when I almost had a six pack.

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Posted by powerwoman033 on 03/14/12 at 11:26pm

Ummm, NO! I have the same flobby mess along with railroad track stretch marks! I feel confident when that mess is sucked into Spanx. I would show any other part because I think real women need to be photographed more, but my 90 pound weight gain from back to back pregnancies has left me with a stomach that looks like Dr. Frankenstein got a hold of it! ;)

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Posted by talecon on 12/13/11 at 06:31pm

no. I have scars, stretch marks and its all icky

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Posted by joanne_hale on 12/06/11 at 08:54am

yes, because yes i have stretch marks, yes i have some pudge. but i am a woman, i have beauty, and i do work out, and i know in time it will lessen. :D.

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