What's so great about a flat stomach anyway?

[FlyingTurtle]

Like, what's so great about it? Why is it so desirable? Everyone I know and their mother wants one. Girls will fast for whole days just so when they wear their bikinis, their stomach will look flatter. And obviously having a big gut hanging out isn't necessarily desirable, but if someone is roughly at their ideal body weight, and has a little bit of tummy pudge, why is that something everyone wants to get rid of?

[Anonymous]

Its the ideal. It look great both under tops or bare. It shows that a girl takes care of her body. Girls CAN lose fat there even if its a place where she typically stores fat. A small waist line is also more feminine and its what gives women that hour glass curve. I feel really sorry for apple shaped girls because you girls have to work so hard to get your tummy down, but these are the beauty standards, so some girls fit into them and others don't.

[Willow4]

It's seen as attractive and suggests fitness and health (which I agree is ironic when some girls starve themselves). We all feel the pressure to look good and to a degree are all guilty of it. I agree though, nothing wrong with a bit of tummy - just makes someone more cuddly :)

[twelveangrymen]

having a big gut comes with health related problems. it's not healthy to have a lot of fat surrounding your vital organs. there are a lot of health issues associated with that around the midsection and being overweight.

[twelveangrymen]

Also most woman in America are not at their ideal weight so no they do not have to worry about a little tummy Pudge because they have a lot. most women in America are overweight.

[FlyingTurtle]

Well in my case I'm a couple pounds under my supposedly ideal body weight but I still have a little bit of stomach and it drives me crazy. . .

[twelveangrymen]

It has nothing to do with exercise its what you eat that makes your stomach smaller

[twelveangrymen]

Also a flatter stomach just looks better because most of the time it is a sign of health and fitness and that that person takes care of themselves. naturally a person wants to be with someone that cares enough about themselves to take care of their body and not someone, who is waiting for someone to take care of them

[Unnatti]

It makes the rest of your body look better in proportion.
Like, if you have a big gut, it makes your boobs look smaller or your hips less prominent.
That's how I see I anyway.

[Unnatti]

I see it*

[FlyingTurtle]

My question isn't about why it is considered better than a big gut, I'm talking bout why it's considered so much better than having just a little bit of fat in the area.

[Unnatti]

Eh, because it's harder to achieve? Why do people like biceps on men? Or abs? Because they've worked their asses off and not everyone has them.
That's like asking why thick flabby legs aren't as good as muscular ones. People who possess the latter obviously put more effort into things.

[NightBlindness]

It means that the women respects and looks after her body and well being. It also looks more attractive not just because she has a 'flat stomach', but because it says she's healthy

[FlyingTurtle]

People can and do respect and look after their body but not have a flat stomach. People can be healthy and not have a flat stomach. Is a flat stomach now a requirement for being healthy? Again I'm not comparing a flat stomach to a big gut when I ask this, but to a little bit of natural pudge.

[NightBlindness]

Hmm.. How to explain myself.. Look at it in lay terms, if you see a women who looks slender and 'fit' she will automatically come across more attractive and 'healthy' compared to a women who is a bit pudgy. I'm certainly not saying being pudgy is bad.. I'm simply answering your question about a flat stomach.. And you are wrong, people can have a healthy diet and not have a flat stomach, but that means they are not physically healthy. Some people are physically healthy but have a poor diet.. And then there's the healthy diet and physical body.. It just depends.. But overall, women who a slim and toned are more attractive.

[fun-weird-guy]

So you think that everyone woman than has a flt stomach is healthy? Not the case. I use to work with a lady that had a flat stomach but also had cancer, a stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes so how do you explain it now?

[FlyingTurtle]

THANK YOU fun-weird-guy. I tried to start responding with how wrong considering a flat stomach to be a requirement of health was, but got too frustrated and just said screw it and deleted it all. But it's true, you can't sit there and try and say flat stomach = healthy, not flat stomach = unhealthy. It is just NOT black and white like that.

[NightBlindness]

Please don't mistake me, no I don't believe a flat stomach means they will be free of disease.. If you read what I said correctly I said look at it in "Lay Terms" which means a non-medical analysis/approach. If you take into consideration the presence of disease or disorder then thats a completely different question you're asking.

FlyingTurtle asked What's so great about a flat stomach anyway? what's so great about it? Why is it so desirable?
Which I answered in my initial comment, then the I was asked "Is a flat stomach now a requirement for being healthy?" and I gave a lay perspective/answer. If you asked to define health in a universal context then relate that to flat stomach vs. a little pudge, then I would of done that initially.. But I still stand by what I said at first and what ultimately answers your question. Flat stomachs are more attractive and desirable, maybe not for everyone but it is desired by the majority.

[myspacemybroke]

Same goes for guys and six packs. They train for months, sometimes years before they get that perfectly sculpted Michelangelo's David look going on. I'm also pretty sure each gender feels the same way about it: yeah, it may be a bonus but it's not something outright expected. I personally think a little stomach pudge on a chick is adorable.

[FlyingTurtle]

Haha I like your take on it :)

[myspacemybroke]

Hey, me too

[iniladri]

It looks hot
It means you are healthy with good digestive system
It means you are well built
It means you live longer and can work longer, greater endurance, stamina and energy.
It is a sign that you love to stay healthy
It is a sign you take good care of your body

It is great for so many more reasons!

[Shyguy_1988]

Flat tone stomachs just look better and are more appealing, a sign the person takes care of themselves. I'm a guy but I won't let myself have any tummy pudge, I work hard to keep a tone stomach and eat right. I wouldn't like to have extra weight there, but my active lifestyle keeps it away.

[FlyingTurtle]

Some people can take care of themselves but still not have this great looking flat stomach because their body naturally deposits their fat there instead of other places

[Shyguy_1988]

Part of taken care of yourself is eating right. If you lay off the sweets and high fatty foods and exercise you will not store fat there and have a flat stomach. It is not something that is impossible to achieve for some, can be harder but certainly not impossible. Like me, I naturally gain fat there as well, I did when I was younger. So I lay off of high fatty foods, anything deep fried. My brother can eat whatever he wants and won't gain fat there. Both of us are active.

[FlyingTurtle]

Yeah I don't eat high fatty foods, and I am active. I still don't have a flat stomach. I can tell you literally what my diet consists of: plain oatmeal, bananas, berries, greek yogurt, tuna, skim milk, small amounts of cheese, wheat crackers, nuts, and occasionally some whole wheat bread or GoLean cereal. I work out about 3 times a week, and work as a waitress maybe 5 days a week (constantly on my feet, often, going back and forth, pretty active job position). It just doesn't happen for me.

[erock13]

I will say it again, eat less calories than you burn through out the day and your body has no choice but to consume stored fat = you will lose weight
Stop eating 3 meals a day

[Shyguy_1988]

For me it wasn't easy but possible, I do tons of cardio plus strength train. Now this isn't a requirement and someone will like you for who you are so don't worry yourself about it. It's not a big deal I'm just telling you it isn't impossible.

[FlyingTurtle]

That's no use, I'll lose weight in places I desperately need to NOT lose weight in too (boobs mainly, haha), besides my weight is good for my height right now, I don't need a lower number on the scale. I am fairly healthy right now, but I still feel guilty about my not flat stomach, hence why I asked this question to begin with: I don't feel like I SHOULD feel guilty, but I do, because that's what everyone seems to glorify: a flat stomach.

[Shyguy_1988]

Running plus ab exercises works great on shrinking extra fat there. But don't feel guilty about it, do it because you want to, not because you feel guilty about it, its just not good motivation and this is no requirement.

[questioner1991]

I read somewhere that it is more difficult to get a flat stomach so it is more rare to have one. I guess people like what is harder to achieve.

[swiftsaver602]

it's what's culturally/societally thought of as attractive, I suppose.

[swiftsaver602]

oh and as a side note I also unfortunately buy into it and have been working to get my flat stomach back : / Why I don't know because my bf thinks I look just fine lol

[FlyingTurtle]

I'm with you there, I hate my stomach because it's not hot and flat, it's one of my biggest insecurities. And I hate that I'm insecure about it but I am.

[swiftsaver602]

Yeah : / can't really help it, I guess. Especially when it's so engrained in us that that's what attractive.

[harakiri]

It can be used as a table.

[FlyingTurtle]

lool

[LittleSally]

Because people (most of them) are obsessed with the media - sheep following the herd.

[sa230e]

Beats me. I like a little bit of "tummy pudge", myself.

[Sex_Panther]

Enough to grab?

[fun-weird-guy]

Why worry when you look wonderful the way you are. Especially Why worry if you are healthy. Just be yourself.

[Sex_Panther]

It's a sign of health and vitality for one.

[FlyingTurtle]

Why is it healthier than a little bit of stomach, even if either way you weight the same?

[Sex_Panther]

"Sign". Humans cannot actually see health in most of the population so we attribute certain signs to that state. You're not wrong, it is not any healthier to have a flat stomach, but when compared side-by-side the flatter you and the fuller differ in health value and therefore attractiveness.

[Sex_Panther]

Let me put it this way: Very few highly active healthy humans have "stomach pudge". This is esp. true of athletes.

[FlyingTurtle]

Yes, people who really dedicate themselves hardcore to working out, and working out a lot, don't really have stomach pudge. But it's unrealistic to expect that of everyone, or even most people, you know? Not everyone has the time, energy, motivation, or resources to get super fit, and I feel like there's a certain degree of guilt handed to anyone who doesn't look like an athlete.

[Sex_Panther]

Oh I completely agree. I do not have a flat stomach at ALL. I used to but as I grew older (vitality takes a hit) it went away and now I have to actually do things to return it. I do admit I feel horrible about it and in part it's because when I see or hear about how so-and-so is totally hot they usually aren't totally hot with a belly. Blargh.

It's not that I disagree with you; to be honest I personally would have no trouble overlooking such a thing but at the same time you asked a question and it does have a definitive answer even if it works against you and I.

[AndyWes]

It's awesome. It's like a guy asking, "what's so great about having abs?"

[erock13]

When I am licking a clit there is nothing is sexier than seeing a toned stomach squirming around in joy. I do not want to see rolls of cellulite colliding into each other

[twelveangrymen]

Lmao cellulite has nothing to do with that it is genetic. slim women have cellulite too

[erock13]

See my comment on shyguy s post

[NoblesseOblige]

The girls who have them have 10x easier time dating.

[Ghostbusters]

You sure?

[NoblesseOblige]

Vs fat girls? yes...

[Ghostbusters]

You saying fat girls are ugly? 0____0

[questioner1991]

how are they easier time dating?

[NoblesseOblige]

To most guys yes.

[NoblesseOblige]

Because they look hotter. Are you serious right now?

[Ghostbusters]

OK i see its your opinoin anyways

[twelveangrymen]

Thats a lie i know a fat girl who has a kid with a guy who is in shape. so obviously he had sex with her and they are still together

[twelveangrymen]

I do not find fat men attractive

[16charger]

Nothing is great about it

[Mesonfielde]

I was going to say this but it's already been said o.o

[16charger]

It only matters to superficial folks

[Anonymous]

It looks more attractive.

[FlyingTurtle]

Please explain why

[TheNewClassic]

Looks hot and is healthy

[GoldCobra]

Whats so great about it? It's sexier

[FlyingTurtle]

Can I ask why it's sexier?

[GoldCobra]

It's instinctive for me to be attracted to it. My testosterone makes it so

[JellyBeans77]

it looks sexy :D

[Anonymous]

it looks clumsy

[chocolateismylover]

It just looks hot

[NoblesseOblige]

This.