A few months back, I had a realization with a client.  We were discussing all things related to bodies.  We discussed the idea that thighs should not rub together; a thigh gap is preferable.  And then we started talking about stomachs.  It got juicy.

The stomach is a particular area of the body that women (including me) have specific ideas about.  Here are a few of mine:

My stomach should look flat.

My stomach should not be bloated.

Stomachs should remain the same size throughout the day.

Stomachs should be toned, showing 2-4 abs.

There shouldn't be any flab on the bottom of the stomach.

My stomach should not hang out of my pants.

My stomach should not have stretch marks.

I notice that when I compare my stomach it to the above list of made-up rules, I feel negatively about myself and start telling myself that I'm not there yet, I have a lot of work to do, and that I shouldn't have eaten that ____ for dinner last night.   The thought that frequents my brain is, "Why is my stomach so big?"

It's hard to get rid of thoughts and expectations about what a stomach should look like that have been there for as long as I remember.  It makes me feel sad that I've wasted so much brainpower worrying about the size of my stomach.

My thoughts about what a stomach should look like are lies, complete and utter garbage.  Furthermore, these thoughts cause me to suffer and to focus on the wrong things.  My thoughts about what stomachs should be are not facts; they are my story.  I am ready to set myself free from living in that story.

Should stomachs be all of the above?  No, absolutely not.  How do I know that?  Because reality shows they aren't.  Stomachs come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and they are all beautiful.  I am claiming this for myself today.

Until next time,