‘I overworked out to get rid of lower belly fat’: Taapsee Pannu urges women not to be hard on themselves

"I remember I had this obsession because while growing up, I was extremely fit, but I never understood why the lower belly fat always stayed," mentioned a recent note on actress Taapsee Pannu's Instagram profile. 

Taapsee urged women not to torture themselves to meet unrealistic beauty standards as she recalled her struggle to get a flat midriff.  I worked out intensely almost to an extent that I overpushed myself, and rightly said, when you overpush yourself, it rings an alarm in your brain that your body needs protection," she wrote.

The pressure to achieve a flat midriff has become increasingly common in today's image-driven society. Social media platforms, fitness influencers, etc., often promote toned abs and slim waists as the ideal standard of beauty. As a result, many people, particularly women, feel compelled to pursue an unrealistic body image that may not be healthy or attainable for everyone.

"So instead of actually losing water retention, the body starts retaining it and then that lower belly fat, which might actually not just be fat, it's also water retention, it stays, and it increases by overworking out, which I really believe people should not do," Taapsee added. 

She credited her nutritionist for explaining how it could be beneficial for women to have that little bit of fat, a little bit of water retention under the belly because that's where the reproductive organs are, and they need protection. 

"So just to get those picture-perfect Instagram pictures, please don't torture yourself. It's supposed to be healthy to have that little bit of bulge and have that fat there. Please don't torture yourself," she added.

Health experts emphasise that overall well-being is far more important than achieving a specific body shape. Maintaining a balanced diet, staying physically active, and developing a positive relationship with one's body are healthier goals.