Sucking it in?

jenny4teach

question:

If I am constantly "sucking it in," am I really that thin?

For 95% of the day I am sucking in my stomach and trying to flatten my belly/have good posture. When I "let it out" I see a huge difference. Am I just really good at engaging my core or am I fooling myself with how much I've lost?

SergeantSunshine_reused

How can you suck it in all day? I think i look odd and can't hold it for that long xD

I think that is kind of cheating really :O

shellimus

question:

If I am constantly "sucking it in," am I really that thin?

For 95% of the day I am sucking in my stomach and trying to flatten my belly/have good posture. When I "let it out" I see a huge difference. Am I just really good at engaging my core or am I fooling myself with how much I've lost?

I think it's great to suck it in. You are strengthening your core. Just take your measurements with a tape measure when you take in a deep breath, blow it out and relax your belly. Then use that as your measurement. When you get truly fit, your waist will be smaller even when you are relaxed.

carrie_eggo

If the muscles in your stomach are toned enough for you to do it all day without consciously thinking about it, then I would say yes. But if you are really straining to keep your belly flat and sucked in all day then I would say no.

love22step

It's normal for me. I'm 59, and my momma taught me to suck it in when I was a teenager. It improves my posture and makes my tiny chest look a little bigger, too. Surely, my momma wouldn't have taught me that if it was cheating. :-)

lowliar

I do it too. Flex my abs all day, even when no one can see them or if I'm wearing several layers. It's really irrelevant whether you do or not. You are what you are. What really makes a difference in your life is your health and fitness. Generally, sucking it in makes you look kind of "weird" if you are trying to show off at the beach or something. Even if you are showing a little more size, I've noticed being relaxed looks much more natural and attractive.

kayleeblue

I do a core exercise called the vacuum . And what you do is exhale all your air and then tighten up your core and hold your breath..hold for 10 to as long as you can 2 - 5 times or more a day..it really does a great job for your core and on your abs...Good Job!

honeysprinkles

I used to do that all the time, lol. My goal is to get to where I don't need to suck it in!

jenny4teach

I guess I didnt describe my version of "sucking it in" very well. I just mean that im keeping my core tight and when I do that, my stomach looks smaller... Its very natural for me to do it and I have to consciously think about NOT doing it.

maybe im not really sucking it in at all and just think I am because my stomach expands when I do something differnt???

MoooveOverFluffy

i was just thinking something similar today...but i think my core is just a bit stronger now, thus improving my posture and making me appear slimmer. Thing is, i'm not really 'trying' to suck it in..........

3GKnight

If sucking it in built muscle, I'd have a 6-pack by now.

carrie_eggo

I guess I didnt describe my version of "sucking it in" very well. I just mean that im keeping my core tight and when I do that, my stomach looks smaller... Its very natural for me to do it and I have to consciously think about NOT doing it.

maybe im not really sucking it in at all and just think I am because my stomach expands when I do something differnt???

That's called having good posture.

MelMoly

this made me smile!

Sarah0866

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That's called having good posture.
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ditto

Rae6503

Yeah, I suck mine in all the time. I agree that it is part of good posture. It also corrects the little bit of left over pregnancy skin I have.

On a side note its funny when you are pregnant and you realize you are still trying to suck in a huge baby belly.

taso42

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ms-fit5.htm

CindiBryce

question:

If I am constantly "sucking it in," am I really that thin?

For 95% of the day I am sucking in my stomach and trying to flatten my belly/have good posture. When I "let it out" I see a huge difference. Am I just really good at engaging my core or am I fooling myself with how much I've lost?

It may improve posture. But personally, I want to get to the point where I do not need to suck in my stomach.

adjones5

When I danced ballet our instructor would have us do that all day, every single day. It does help with posture and increase core strength, at least in my case along with my fellow dancers.

AI1108

Yeah I don't think that's bad. It just means that you're conscious of your posture and tightening your core. You'll see a lot of older women do it unconsciously because it was how a young girl was "supposed to sit" - back straight, stomach in, feet flat on the floor as I've always heard it.

megz4987

On a side note its funny when you are pregnant and you realize you are still trying to suck in a huge baby belly.

Hahaha, I did it all the time and I'd catch myself and say, "It's impossible to suck in a baby, what am I doing??"

Shannonigans84

If sucking it in built muscle, I'd have a 6-pack by now.

This!

I suck mine in constantly to avoid looking a few months pregnant. Due to genetics, I'm not entirely convinced even at my goal weight I'll be able to stop. :frown: