This belly held twins- each 7 lbs!  I can squish it together and make it talk to the kids :)

-- Michelle, 32

Here's my belly, covered in lines from the day's tights and including my weird rib (and I say that with all love -- it's just, the one side sticks out and the other doesn't).

-April, 29

My daughter says that my fat is the best pillow lol. She also says that about my chesticles too, though.

--  Shawnna, 28.
                      

The scars you see are from surgeries I've had to treat a condition I had when I was born. Most people look at the scars and are horrified/grossed out. Me, I don't mind them. They remind me how lucky I am to be born in Canada rather than in Vietnam where I certainly would have died.

Anna, 31

 I love my little "pooch" that is my belly.  So cute, I named it sunshine.

-- Sabrina, Age 19

The belly of someone who lost a shit ton of weight and still feels like an impostor.

Even though its my period I had to send you a picture because I'm so into this! I love my stomach because it is strong and lets me do siiiick yoga poses like arm balances and headstands!

-- Kelsey, 22

This is after 11 months of changing my food habits and exercising 20 mins a day and losing 40lbs. I've never been more proud of myself or loved my body more. So happy. =)

A good thing about my belly is how nice and soft my skin always is there.

-- Grace, 21

Please consider my cozy and full size-14 belly for the gallery.

-- Lindsey

This is my belly, with my current catheter site and all the scabs, scars and rashes the old ones have left me with. I have an incurable, rare and fatal disease called Pulmonary Hypertension (it's awareness month!) and this subcutaneous infusion is quite literally keeping me alive. My little belly bulge that I've carried, and hated, my whole life is exactly what's saving it now (you need enough fatty tissue in order for the medication to absorb properly).

Each new site is incredibly painful for the first 9 days or so though, and I'm being admitted tomorrow to the hospital for a Hickman ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hickman_line ) placement so that I can switch to IV delivery. I'm terrified and excited all at once, but the freedom of movement and pain relief it will provide is going to give me a greater quality of whatever life I have left!

-- Angela

My belly has been all different sizes, from gaining weight and dieting and gaining more weight and bearing three kids and dieting and gaining even more weight -- it is soft and supple and MAGIC.

-Abi, 30

It's a funny looking size 18 saggy, wrinkly belly, but it grew two huge babies!

My belly and a portion of the enormous boobs I bring to work each and every day.  I love my belly because it feels so good when it's rubbed and because I've spent a lot of time learning to love all of my body.

-- Julia

I took this a while back for my Flickr account -- 365 days of pictures of myself. I posted a few "unflattering" ones in my own little attempt to normalize at least this body.

-- Maggie

My squishy stretched belly is probably my favorite part of my whole body, second only to The Mighty Clit.  I like it so much that I wear belly shirts in the summer time, in part cuz it gets hotter than a motherfucker around here, but also to scandalize/empower women and their bellies(kinda depends on how they take it, I'm pretty pleased with both of these outcomes). 

I got those sick ass flower tattoos to decorate my noncurves. They're pretty convincing, no?

Once upon a drunk ass new year's eve I brought home this fine man for an auld lang sye bang (don't even condomplate my position on safer sex -- always pack the rubbers and the saran wrap, don't be fooled, kids!).  This kid's sitting on my bed while I'm showing him my glorious self(which was  about 50 pounds lighter than in these pics) and he says "Oh baby, I've always loved chunky girls." Something about this comment rubbed me the wrong way, although I probably would have let it slide had he not passed out before I even got a smoke break's worth of the dirty. 

So... I kinda threw him out. Right then and there. Told him to call up his friends and said you don't have to go home but you ain't stayin here. 

I celebrated the first of the year with my girlfriends by getting a lusciously fattening, icing-dripping-down-the-side nine-kinds-of-real-sugar cupcake right in the smooshy part. 

Just to make it known that if you can't get down with my belly, you aren't getting down with me. 

-SJ in Oklahoma

I love how my belly hair collects enough lint that I get to clean out my belly button at least once a day.  I think it's actually very neat-o!

This is my belly. Stretch marks, scars, grandma skin (i'm 38), lotsa hair, genie bra.

-- Stephanie

Two kids and a few pounds (almost 30) later, i love my belly! I highly recommend treating oneself to the finest delicates (panties, etc) to showcase the delightful belly!!! (I like to match mine!)

I struggle with my stomach more so than any other part of my body, especially after recently gaining back 20 pounds I lost last year, so when I saw the call for belly shots, I suddenly realized I'd never really taken a good look at my belly.

It was in some ways hard -- it surprised me that it looked bigger than I expected -- but I also liked that it reminded me a little of Aphrodite in her famous pose. I'm 35, 5'9" and 235 lbs, have had one pregnancy and one surgery, and have pretty much spent a lifetime in disordered eating. I love seeing all the varities of bellies. It's amazing!

I luv how my belly is white and my belly button is so tiny.

--Ana Sofia, 22

Good thing I am the HR person of our company because I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have liked walking in on me photgraphing my tum.  Btw.  It looks like I'm missing my b button but that's the best I could do on my own!!

My name is Emma, I'm 23, and my favorite part of my belly is my ring scar! My whole life I've been a classic overthinker -- every big decision I've made I've thought and worried about until it made me sick, I never open my mouth without thinking, etc. etc. When I was 19 I went to a tattoo parlor, made sure they had a clean needle, and got it pierced. I barely thought about it at all -- quel horreur. I recently took it out and expected to be horrified by the scar- but I love it. It reminds me to allow myself to be impulsive and frivolous and to enjoy my life.

Here's my belly.  I'm 33 and I would like  to be able to remove the belly button ring, but I took it out during my pregnancy and the hole never closed.  I think the ring looks better than the hole!

Preggo with a laparoscopic scar.

Annonymous, age 38. I have three children and I gained a lot with each pregnancy (80 lbs each time). Though my stomach looks ripplier, I like that I was able to get back to a healthy place with yoga and a lot of healthy food. I used to be a junk food junkie (think two extra value meals a day and vodka for dinner) and I love how much better I feel.

I love this belly because it saved me. Dramatic, yes, but true. Injecting Lovenox into my stomach after having two DVTs in my leg (thank you birth control and a broken 5th metatarsal) kept those clots from traveling to my lungs and then who knows what could have happened? At 33 years old this was the scariest thing that has ever happened to me and I started to love my belly for being fatty enough to give me plenty of room for the medicine. Looking at my belly now motivates me to stop being irritated at my boyfriend for gulping when he drinks, it motivates me to pick up the phone when my sister calls even though she'll probably have nothing to talk about and waste my valuable time with my DVR.  Seeing those bruises reminds me that if my mother wants to go to 5 different stores to find the best deal, only to end up back at the first one, I will take her and go gladly instead of acting like an ass. Perhaps this is a little too "chicken soup for the soul," but it is the first thing I though of when I saw your posts on bellies.  I hated my belly, but now I thank it for reminding me that my apathetic existence was doing nothing but distancing me from people that I would be devastated to leave.

After a big meal my stomach will significantly expand. I like to rub it and imagine I'm a cartoon bear. It cracks me up.

-- Danielle, 26

I love this. Here is my belly fresh out of Extreme Core class. Love my belly because it has held me up for two marathons and 10 half-marathons. Next stop, Big Sur Marathon 4/29/12!

-- Lela (heck yeah use my name!) 

"The Thin Red Line" isn't just a Terrence Malick film...there's always a thin red line on my porcelain tummy.

-- Emily S., 23

It's carried 2 of my babies (so far), it's where I put my food, and my husband's name is tattooed on it. What's not to love?!

-- Shannon, 35

I like my freckles, my belly button, and the way it curves on the sides. I LOVE how much smaller it looks in these pictures than in my mind.

-- Vanessa, 32

Shanna

I wanted to show you one of me the last time I was comfortable taking a picture of my bare tummy: when I was 8 months preggo with my twins. 5 years ago!!! Yep, it's taken me that long to embrace it again

-- Muffy 

Thing I like: It's been very forgiving! Plus I like you can still see where my piercing was, even though it's healed up now.

-- Rhiannon, 26.

Here's my lovely, soft belly. I like that it's squishy, it's the way bellies should feel. 

-- Holly 

I have worked hard for 2 years to get this belly!  Its all mine!

After 2 babies, I love that my belly has character! 

Tricia, 38.

It's strong! With one single ab to prove it!

-- Tricia, 25

The state of my tummy post baby. But its doughy-ness is proof that I was once a living vessel for my beautiful baby! For that I can't help but love it, stretchmarks and all.     

-- Rosie

This is my belly, and it's alright by me. I like that it has a set of parallel freckles, which are all over my body in various places for some odd reason. It also features a belly button piercing which I never wear, an innie, and lines from my belly folds when I sit down. It also stores yum yums, which I appreciate.

-Julia

Good thing about my belly: The visible hole from my former belly button piercing. Who didn't have their belly button pierced at some point?!

-- Rena, 26

Here is my belly pic. love the rounded shape of my belly, especially around my waist and the little soft spot in front that is usually invisible behind underwear and jeans.

-- Erin, 32

This belly has been well covered since I was a teen some twenty-*cough* years ago ...until last week in bellydance class. I thought I'd be horrified to expose my pasty-white midsection, but I find I'm surprisingly okay with it.

-- Jen

Try not to be jealous of my basketball shorts. Also note:  That is a birthmark, not chocolate ice cream.

I used to hate my hips and stomach so much that I'd wear sweatshirts in 80 degree weather (unfortunately not an exaggeration). I've come to like having a little extra tummy these days -- I'm curvy everywhere else, so it just makes me look more proportionate! Also, I've come to realize that the kind of men I like aren't into hard-bodied models.

- Lauren (25 yrs old)

 I like how my belly has a birthmark that looks like the continent of South America right under it. I used to hate wearing one piece bathing suits because of this. But then I thought, my belly has culture!

-- Jacki, 21

Here is a photo of my belly being rubbed by my one of my daughters. This belly is not what it used to be before two little girls took up residence in it, but I'm slowly coming to terms with that. The fact that they like to snuggle up to it when they need comforting, reminds me of it's purpose and it's beauty.

-- Ange, 34

It's my belly.  I've learned to appreciate the way a little swell in the belly really does fill out the lines of a pencil skirt the way I like.

-- Samantha, 28

After a baby & cancer!!

My belly has always been my least favorite part, and made me the most self conscious. A navel piercing scar, stretch marks from carrying a child...but whatever. It's mine, and I am learning to love and accept my body more every day!

-- Erin 

Currently shown brandishing lines from my terrible slouching and the tights I wore today. I love that there is a triangle of my belly that WILL NOT tan. I find it hilarious and it keeps me from spending any time tanning which is SO for the best. Thanks, belly!

-- Dana, 29.

i am proud of my belly...i would rather enjoy a good beer and slice of pizza than be rail thin & not be able to enjoy life fully :)

My photo's upside down, sorry -- I had to lie on my kitchen floor and take it with my phone.

I have good days and bad days with my belly -- sometimes we get along and sometimes we argue about who's retaining water and who's been eating too much salt.  For the most part, though, I love my belly, because that's where my phoenix is, reminding me that no matter how I burn, I'll always rise up again.

-- Em!ly, 30

Attached is a snapshot of my mole-covered belly. As a belly dancer, I make it my mission to encourage women to embrace their jiggle.

-- Naomi, 23

My buddha belly is super soft and strong. I'm positive that underneath my lovely cushion is a six pack (that I'll never see) holding it down.

-- Mai, 24

So here's my stomach. I am sort of kind of starting to maybe slightly like having a little extra belly. (And apparently my stomach magically looks 25 lbs. flatter in phone pics!)

-- Kate

Rachel and Jennie Ketcham

 With a little bit of vanity I must say I've just had dinner (that would be two piadinas, one of which with nutella. Like, a loooot of nutella). Oh, who am I trying to fool... this is really awkward. I like my belly, though. When I was little I used to stick my forefinger into my belly button and play with it, as if it was a suction pad (is that how they're called?). Again, who am I kidding... I still do it ;)

-- Federica

My stomach has a permanent wrinkle above my belly button. I'm convinced it's because I slouch all the time -- walking, sitting, standing, running. Slouch. I love doing it though so I don't see that crease leaving anytime soon.

-- Kristin, 30

My belly is just the way it is supposed to be. It's full of wonderful organs, and I would never wish it harm.

-- Allison, 29

It's not perfect, but it's the product of lots of change and hard work, and it has the Life Aquatic submarine tattooed on it :)

-- Jackie, 28

I love how no matter how much I work out or try to tone up, it only takes one big meal to look five months pregnant again. So I will always be able to pretend on front of the mirror :) I also love my 2-year-old's fleeting obsession with my belly button.

I have two big puncture wounds (couldn't get them to show up in pics) on my side from lung surgery a few years back, and sometimes I stroke them when I'm nervous. My natural state of doing the twist has given me some good muscles, but my other natural state of eating has given me some lovely softness. Overall, I love the whole thing.

The one good thing about my belly is this is the result of having two kids...still trying to accept the belly is one bad thing about it...

Veronica, 36

Here is my belly. Here is what I learned from this experience: a) It is harder than I thought to take a picture of your belly without sucking it in. Especially when the whole point is not to suck it in. and b) I'm more fond of my midsection than I thought. It's really alright. The thing I like best about it is my admittedly lame Latin tattoo, which translates to "Fortune favors the brave." Ha. How fitting.

-- Renee

Annonymous.

I'm 46; still working on loving my belly, but looking at this picture, I see how strong this area of my body is.

-- Hanna

Myspace style!

-- Haley

This is my belly. - Joslyn

This is my stomach. You can see my ileostomy, which usually has a bag covering it, but in this photo it does not. The red bit is called a stoma. It is where shit comes out of my body. The stoma is my small bowel that has been sewn to my abdomen because I had my entire large bowel (colon) removed. I have been critically and chronically ill for 15 years. I never thought I would turn 30 years old. 3 weeks ago, I turned 30. Even though it's been 3 weeks, some days I still feel euphoric that I exist. I hope I live forever, but I probably won't.

- Brianna

I'm 32, have 2 kids...lost a little, gained a little. For once I'm happy to find pants that dont fall off my hips and I finally have a butt :) Its not all bad

Here it is...I was always ashamed of my belly, but everyone that has sent in their pics really inspired me. 

Here's mine.   One gorgeous son and 37 years.  Thanks for reminding me to love all of myself.

This is my non-airbrushed belly as of a few months ago. It has not really changed much in fifteen years (I'm 30), and it's one of my favorite parts of my body, but I almost never let it see the light of day. I'm too self-conscious about the other parts of me, like my cellulite and leg hair to want to be naked much. But damn does my belly make me feel like I can conquer anything!

I love that everything inside my belly is healthy. I do core exercises to keep those shielding-muscles strong and protect my organs, instead of to look better.

I also love my barbell. I went thru a hard thing a couple of years ago, and I acted out by piercing my belly button! No one could see it, so no haters could judge me! It was my pretty secret. It was the beginning of an emotional transformation that lead me to running a half marathon, becoming a yoga instructor, and pursuing other athletic goals!

here's my belly...and I love it!!!

I've always been self-conscious about my belly, knowing I would never have a supermodel six pack. When my son left my belly stretched, scarred, and flapping over my groin I just knew my bikini days were done.

But this deflated balloon belly sheltered and nourished a beautiful, perfect little boy and there's no shame in that! My fiancé doesn't see anything to be ashamed of either - he misses my huge pregnant belly and thinks my stretch marks look cool. :)

-Jillian, 22

Hi!  Not sure whether or not you're still taking submissions, but I figured I'd send mine just in case you were.  This is a picture of my stomach when I was about 30-40lbs heavier than I am now, but I actually prefer the way it looked back then.  I think women should be curvy and soft!  I especially love my stomach because I chose to have a special message tattooed on it after I went through an all-time low point in my life, and was having some pretty dark thoughts.  I slapped myself into the right frame of mind and pulled myself out of it, though, and I got this tattoo to celebrate and to remind myself that I can get through anything life throws my way.  Since then, all of Life's little obstacles have been real cake walks.

I think this project is truly beautiful, and what you guys are doing could have an extremely positive effect on the relationships women have with their bodies.  Keep up the amazing work!  :)

Crystal

This was more difficult than I thought. Especially the part about not sucking in. I do love my belly when it is just the 2 of us...it is very soft and rotund. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable when it is around other people. I think this project is making me feel more comfortable with it though. It feels good to bare my belly to you!

Annonymous