A mother was surprised to discover the underlying reason for the persistent fat on her abdomen. Jessica Rout, aged 29, first observed changes in her stomach during her teenage years, noticing extra skin and what she described as an “overhang.” Despite various attempts to shed the weight through dieting, her stomach remained unchanged.
Living in Hull, East Yorkshire, the mother of one expressed how her stomach negatively impacted her self-esteem. She recalled feeling different from her peers as a teenager, always trying to conceal or lose weight to eliminate it. Even at her lowest weight during high school, the overhang persisted. Jessica favored peplum-style clothing to conceal it, feeling isolated as she rarely saw similar body types in media.
Reflecting on her past, Jessica noted that her overhang varied in size over the years, a natural occurrence in women’s bodies. Pregnancy caused her stomach to expand, a common phenomenon. Amid societal pressures promoting a single ideal body type, Jessica aimed to challenge these norms by embracing her unique figure.
Jessica revealed the hurtful remarks she received from online trolls about her stomach, which led her to consider surgical removal. Despite trying multiple weight loss programs like Slimming World and Weight Watchers, she found no success in reducing her stomach size. Resorting to waist trainers, extreme diets, and tight shapewear only exacerbated her mental strain.
In 2016, Jessica consulted a surgeon, who inquired about her childbirth history upon examining her abdomen. Subsequently, she was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a genetic disorder impacting connective tissues and causing symptoms like flexible joints and stretchy skin. Jessica decided to share her journey on Instagram, garnering widespread support for her body positivity message.
Her Instagram account, @jesslourx_, showcases videos of her dressing up, starting with revealing her stomach in each clip. Jessica aimed to alter the social media narrative by representing underrepresented body types and empowering women who feel unseen. Despite facing negativity, she remains committed to advocating for body acceptance and inclusivity in mainstream media.
Jessica emphasized the prevalence and beauty of body variations like “mum tum” and belly overhang, stressing the importance of normalizing these features. While acknowledging the existence of trolls on social media, she remains resolute in her mission to promote self-worth and body positivity for all individuals.