“Rebellions of the belly are the worst.”- Francis Bacon
Everyone is gathering around as the group photo taking session is about to take place. You know everyone’s looking as you sashay confidently across the room looking like a million dollars. Usually, you’d revel in the attention but somehow this particular evening’s dinner event is different. You feel a little awkward and the walk to the restroom seems much longer and further than you remember.
You made it; barely and excruciatingly. The moment you locked the door, you let out a huge breath and just in time as well, as you were turning purple. The breath of relief is followed by a huge heaving sigh. You look down and hanging out like an uninvited and intoxicated guest looking perfectly happy, is your belly. At that moment, you hear someone calling your name; it’s time.
Belly or gut flab is a common problem and is every girl’s nightmare. The fat around the belly is hard to rid of and a huge (pun intended) problem, which explains the myriad of diet programmes, exercise routines and self proclaimed “miracle drug” advertisements we’re fed with via the different media. A corset or a girdle may help to hide that gut but for some, you run the risk of sounding like a duck on helium when you speak.
Photographers, they whose eyes seem to see the undesirable, would often say, “Butt out girl and oh, suck in that stomach!” And just as your confidence is deflating, he expects you to smile. What?!
Before you buy that one-way ticket to Low Self-EsteemLand...
1.“Loud and Proud”
The next time you’re heading to a less-formal gathering, try wearing something outlandish. Prints and layered-colours work well as they tend to distract an observer’s eye from your paunch. The downside obviously is your questionable taste in fashion but heck wouldn’t you rather have a “WTH were u wearing? LOL!” instead of a “OMG! R U PREGNANT? %-)” in your text inbox or facebook comment once the photos are out?
2.“BOF”
A proven and most-practised method has been the “BOF” or back-of photo technique. It’s easy and deceptive, just be sure to stealthily make your way to the back of the group as everyone is jostling to be at the front during a photo session. Don’t get caught though because if you do, chances are you’ll be pushed to the front! Execute it well and the “BOF” could just be your new “BFF”.
3.“Face the Enemy”
You’re caught trying to the “BOF” and you find yourself right stuck in the middle front, what are you going to do? In the face of such adversity, it is best to face the enemy head on. You could hold a purse or a magazine to hide the paunch if you’re self-conscious but if none is available, just suck in that gut and smile. Be sure to exhale only after the camera has been put away and more importantly, remember to maintain the head on position because a slight change in your pose could expose a huge bulge for posterity.
4.“Now You See Me (only Me!)”
This is a controversial technique that’s still in the experimental stage as you will received dumbfounded looks if you suggest turning the lights off just as a photo is to be taken. And let’s face it; it can get tiring for you to keep suggesting and for the photographer even for that matter. In reality however, this technique usually works as there is only one light source (the camera flash) and therefore it reduces your chance to be ambushed unflatteringly by shadows from seemingly unfriendly sources like the sun. Lesser shadows mean less emphasis on unsightly bulges.
The downside to this technique is that pretty soon, everyone could be bringing along garlic and a stake during gatherings just in case you turn into a vampire.
You wake up in a pool of sweat and realized it was all a bad dream. You turn on the night light, reach for the phone and randomly go through photos posted on your personal social media page to help ease your mind and go back to sleep. Then something catches your eyes, it’s THE photo!
But surprisingly instead of going into a fit, you take a deep breath because you now know of some gut-sucking tricks that may just come in handy the next time someone says, “Everybody say cheers!”
Just remember that knowledge is to be shared, so do share the next time you hear someone gasps, “Oh My Gut!”
If all else fails...
If all else fails, you may want to consider using Body Firm system. The Body Firm system was developed by a British scientist, one of the co-inventors of the pacemaker, and uses a similar type of neuro-stimulation, except that it’s applied to the body muscles. It feels like you are doing abdomen crunches for 35 minutes straight. Your stomach will feel tighter and your wobbly bits will be less visible and daunting in just one session.
At The Body Firm, there is no haggling or hard sell. You pay for whatever that works well for your lifestyle and body shape. Depending on which package you choose, you can pay as little as S$89 per session.
Design your curves. Because at The Body Firm, you can.
