Lately i have been feeling down about how my body look . Mostly about my belly. I often wonder why don’t i have flat belly like other girls. And this thought make me feel really bad about myself like i am not enough like there is something wrong with me. And i would exercise just to achieve flat belly. But give up mid way. And this cycle repeat. I tried being positive but it didn’t really work so i am here to ask for help any tips on how to cope with this.
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Dear @user7121
Thank you so much for being honest and open—it takes real strength to share how you’ve been feeling. What you’re going through is incredibly valid, and you are not alone. So many people struggle with how their bodies look, especially when we live in a world that constantly tells us we need to look a certain way to be “enough.”
Let me gently remind you:
There is nothing wrong with your body.
Your belly is not a flaw—it’s part of a body that carries you through every single day, that holds your laughter, your joy, and even your sadness. And comparing yourself to others is something many of us do, but it can steal your peace without you even realising it. You deserve to feel at home in your body—not at war with it.
You mentioned trying to stay positive but still falling into the same cycle—and that’s okay. Body positivity isn’t always about loving how you look every second of the day. Sometimes, it’s about learning to treat your body with respect and kindness, even on the days when you don’t feel great about it. That’s called body neutrality, and it’s a gentle, powerful place to start healing.
Coping Tips for Body Image Struggles
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Shift your focus from appearance to function: What did your body help you do today? Maybe it helped you laugh, move, study, or hug someone. That matters so much more than a flat stomach.
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Speak to yourself like you would a friend: If your friend said, “I hate my belly,” you’d comfort them—not shame them. You deserve that same kindness from yourself.
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Curate your online space: Follow people who celebrate real, diverse bodies—not just one kind of beauty. Representation helps reshape how we see ourselves.
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Give yourself permission to grow slowly: You’re not “failing” by not achieving a flat belly. You’re learning to care for yourself—and that takes time, not punishment.
Gentle Tips for Staying Healthy
Health isn’t about shrinking your body—it’s about helping it feel good and function well. You can care for your body in ways that are kind and sustainable:
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Move your body in ways that feel good: Try dancing, walking, yoga—anything that brings joy instead of pressure. Exercise should be something that supports your body, not something you force it through.
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Eat to nourish, not restrict: Include foods you love and foods that fuel you—fruits, veggies, whole grains, proteins. Don’t fear carbs or snacks. All food has a place.
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Stay hydrated and rest well: Water and sleep are two of the most overlooked forms of self-care. They support your mood, energy, and overall health.
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Start small: One tiny habit at a time—like a 10-minute walk or adding one veggie to your meal—is more powerful than trying to overhaul everything at once.
Please remember:
Your worth is not measured by how flat your belly is.
You are not defined by your reflection.
You are deserving of love, respect, and care—right now, just as you are.
You’ve already taken such a brave step by speaking up. Healing takes time, but you’re already on the path. And you are so much more than your body. Do continue to reach out whenever you need to. 
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Hello @user7121! Thank you for sharing your problems on this platform!
Firstly, you’re not alone. Many of us have issues with our perceptions of our bodies, particularly in light of the excessive pressure we face.
However, your value is not defined by your belly. Your lack of a flat stomach does not make you inferior. You should already be grateful that your body is trying its best every day to get you through life.
It’s OK to desire to feel better, but it’s beneficial to change the emphasis from improving your appearance to taking care of your emotions. Don’t move to punish yourself; do it because it feels wonderful.
It’s also OK if thinking positively hasn’t worked. It’s more important to treat oneself with kindness when things get tough.
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Hello @user7121 
I’m going to be super honest and say that I have the same concerns as you… often when I see people with flat belly I will think like why don’t I have that too, and start planning a workout but gave up after as I got busier. As I grew, I realised that such thinking wasn’t really helpful, especially because different people have different body sizes so everyone’s features will be different. What’s more important is to be grateful for what we have, because we all have things to be proud of of ourselves, even if it’s something that others cannot see (like personality >:) )
Exercise wise, have you tried starting little by little..? Seeing a visible difference takes time, so try working on it bit by bit, and slowly but surely, you will feel the change~
I will be working on it too, with an accountability buddy so that I will be responsible with my plans and actually do it… haha ")
I admire your courage for asking for tips and I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone in this
Not super sure if you have tried the above mentioned but meanwhile, don’t forget to love yourself, because you’re amazing, flat belly or not 
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hey @user7121, it’s completely normal to not have a flat belly. everyone’s body type is different and you may look different from others and that’s completely okay and healthy. there’s nothing wrong with you and you don’t have to conform to societal standards. it is also okay if you give up exercising, you shouldn’t have to push yourself so hard just to achieve a goal body, you can exercise whenever and if you feel like it, what matters is that you’re healthy. always remember to love yourself because you are amazing and great! 
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I think taking photos of progress does motivate me
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how’s your diet? I think eating healthy is probably a lot more effective than exercising. there’s this old saying that you can’t outrun a bad diet - so start with eating healthy. it takes time but start small and seeing progress is the best motivation! jiayou!
hi @user7121 ,
I want to let you know that nothing is wrong with you. Like others have already said, everyone’s body is unique, and there’s no one “perfect” way to look. Feeling bad about yourself and that there is something wrong with you can be very distressing, but it is crucial to recognize that these thoughts are often influenced by societal standards and not a reflection of your true worth.
Your body is beautiful and unique, and it’s important to treat yourself with kindness and respect. Take care
I have had thought similar to you >< I’m bordering on overweight according to my bmi and I always want to become fitter. I used to feel like I’m the only one feeling this way because I am really factually close to overweight, but I realise my friends with lower bmi or visibly thinner also have such thoughts 
I think our brain tricks us into only observing those things or people around us that reinforces our negative thoughts, aka around us, we particular notices ppl who are skinner. Yet when I realise this, I intentionally tell myself to pick up individuals I come across in my life who seem heavier than myself. So I don’t build an unfair or tilted perspective of the world around me. Dk if it will help, but I hope to assure you that you are alright just as you are now. That is the first and most impt thing to know nonetheless, we can always strive to be better hehe so we can start simple with making small, manageable changes in our lives to begin with! Then work on being consistent over a duration of time, doesn’t matter if sometimes you fail to do them, and continue at it again the next day~
You are enough, with or without flat belly 
