I’m fairly lean (abs visible when resting), but my stomach always looks bloated. I’m not sure how to get rid of this. It doesn’t bother me that much, cause I train more for athletics, but I was just wondering.
These are some possible reasons I’ve thought of:
Large diet causing my stomach to be full constantly (I’m skinny when I wake up in the morning)
Fat beneath my abs (is that possible?)
Large muscles around my torso from Squats/Deadlifts
Tilted hips caused by tight hip flexors + weak gluts/abs
Well that raises another issue I actually deleted from my post. If this happens especially after specific foods then you can bet you have some sort of allergy to them. Most of the world is lactose intolerant to at least some degree and the main components of cereal and beer would be up there as well.
Lose those foods(well let’s just limit the beer, not go to crazy haha) for 3 weeks and see what happens to your stomach distention.
Grains + Milk causes bloating…
If you don’t want that problem, take it out from your diet…
Another reason is that your digestive system is ineffective, you may one to get some probiotics to help clear it up…
An ineffective digestive system inhibits nutrients uptake by the body…
Yes, there can be fat beneath your abs (visceral, the worst kind).
But, it sounds like since you’re constantly eating that is the likely culprit, which is the case for me as well. I feel much leaner in the morning because my stomach isn’t protruding as much.
when you eat a lot and often your system is being bombarded with a lot of stuff that takes up space
Lots of people have sub-abdominal fat, sometimes called Omental fat, but if you’re already lean it is unlikely you possess it to any significant degree.
It’s probably related to diet. Might be an idea, as mentioned, to cut out the lactose. I did this myself and looked noticeably leaner afterwards.
You might look into some digestive enzymes (papain and bromelain). They don’t work for everyone but are quite cheap.
Definitely take a quality probiotic supplement. I eat a LOT of vegetables (often raw) and used to get bloated because of it…constant gas. After taking probiotics the problem was nearly resolved
[quote]PimpBot5000 wrote:
Lots of people have sub-abdominal fat, sometimes called Omental fat, but if you’re already lean it is unlikely you possess it to any significant degree.
[/quote]
Every human that plans on living has a lesser and greater omentum…ALL OF THEM, not just “lots of people” and yes, it IS likely he possesses it to a significant degree or else he would be DEAD or dying.
Yeah mine gets pretty bad but like other posters have said, it’s a short-term sacrifice for long-term gains. But isn’t it fun eating till you’re miserable? People that know me think I’m insane.
Actually I’m always hungry, and have little problem putting on weight.
Thanks everyone for the posts. The allergy thing seems very possible. I’ll try to stop eating cereal/milk. The only reason I ever do, is because my parents buy it and it’s too tempting. Only a few months until I’m living alone, and then I should have an easier time keeping my cupboards clean.
I only drink once or twice a month, so the beer shouldn’t be much of a problem. I’ll try to switch over to vodka+juice, I never feel bad after that.
Do you guys think it’ll be a problem to eat plain yogurt daily and cheese a few times per week?
[quote]vision1 wrote:
Actually I’m always hungry, and have little problem putting on weight.
Thanks everyone for the posts. The allergy thing seems very possible. I’ll try to stop eating cereal/milk. The only reason I ever do, is because my parents buy it and it’s too tempting. Only a few months until I’m living alone, and then I should have an easier time keeping my cupboards clean.
I only drink once or twice a month, so the beer shouldn’t be much of a problem. I’ll try to switch over to vodka+juice, I never feel bad after that.
Do you guys think it’ll be a problem to eat plain yogurt daily and cheese a few times per week?[/quote]
Yogurt is fine for lactose intolerant people as the bacteria process the sugar for you. Just make sure it’s plain yogurt most things they try to call yogurt have as much sugar as eating a candy bar.
I bloat a little when I drink alot of milk or eat bread. Smaller portions more spread out is part of the answer, but this is really normal, if you have food or water in your belly it’s going to protrude.
Do you do any exercises for your TVA (transverse abs)? This may be the key here… I find that it makes tremendous differences in perceived belly size for folks who are lean/in-shape.
dan
yeah. like vacuums. try adding them into your program for the next month. i suspect you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
for tightening up your belly and trunk in general, the TVA is the key! (although spinal erectors are also good, though they’ll do less precision work for your belly)
dan
