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This Before & After Bloating Photo Is So Relatable

Photo: Getty Images
Thanks to society's effed-up beauty standards, you're not alone if you've felt self-conscious over a less-than-flat stomach. But the truth is, everyone's stomach grows and shrinks due to food consumption, sodium intake, and many other temporary factors. As gastroenterologist Felice Schnoll-Sussman, MD told Refinery29, "your belly is going to get distended during the day normally." To show what this can look like and that it's totally normal, blogger Celena Diane posted two photos with her own stomach showing to Instagram, Pop Sugar reports.
Diane experiences painful bloating episodes, which lead to abdominal distention — that is, her stomach sticking out. Doctors are still trying to figure out what the cause is. But as far as her looks go, she's made peace with it.
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"Sharing a photo like this is never easy because when you’re bloated you feel pretty down on yourself and you’re uncomfortable in your own skin. But I’m sharing this to show that you’re not alone, and that we all have things that we’re battling and that’s normal," she wrote in her Instagram caption. "So nope, I don’t walk around with abs 24/7, and I’m totally OK with that! Right now, my priorities are to share my journey, and to one day at least find out what the heck this random pain is."
She also gave this recommendation for anyone else who feels insecure about the way their body changes throughout the day: "The next time you’re bloated, don’t think you look 'fat or disgusting' — that’s unhealthy behavior and you know that bloating comes and goes. Instead, make yourself a hot water bottle, drink water, turn on some Netflix, and rest easy. Always remember your body responds best to positivity and love." That's great advice for anyone dealing with any health issue, physical or mental.

These pictures are from this Monday/ Tuesday and show what one of my bloating episodes look like. No I’m not pushing my tummy out, I actually have abdominal distension during these episodes, as pointed out by a doctor (and you can see I'm totally not feeling good). For as long as I can remember, I’ve suffered from these episodes of intense pain and bloating. It started a few years ago and it was upper right quadrant pain, bloating, and discomfort once every few months. Then it progressed to every month, and now it seems to hit me every few weeks. Doctors are just as confused as I am and so far all I’ve gotten diagnosed with are “gastritis” and possible IBS- which we know means there really isn’t a known cause. I’ve been doing everything I can to modify my diet, to identify any food triggers and to just deal with it when it happens but it’s NOT easy. I’m not sharing for sympathy, but instead to be real with you all. Sharing a photo like this is never easy because when you’re bloated you feel pretty down on yourself and you’re uncomfortable in your own skin. But I’m sharing this to show that you’re not alone, and that we all have things that we’re battling and that’s normal. Bloating is so common and affects about 10-30% of the general population, with women TWICE as likely to experience it. So nope, I don’t walk around with abs 24/7, and I’m totally ok with that!  Right now my priorities are to share my journey, and to one day at least find out what the heck this random pain is. So the next time you’re bloated, don’t think you look “fat or disgusting”- that’s unhealthy behavior and you know that bloating comes and goes. Instead, make yourself a hot water bottle, drink water, turn on some netflix and rest easy. Always remember your body responds best to positivity and love. . . . #bloated #bloating #beforeandafter #screwthescale #ibs #squatspo #fitnesslifestyle #gymlife #cleaneating #vlogger #paleoish #liveauthentic #healthylifestyle #fitnessbody #healthyishappy #fitnesspageforall #mindovermatter #girlswithabs #womenshealth #mindbodysoul #girlswhoworkout #paleofood #fitfood #absaremadeinthekitchen #bebetter #strongnotskinny #fitliving #bodyunderconstruction

A post shared by Celena Diane (@celenakinsey) on

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