Do you suck your tummy in?

[FurForksSake]

After reading this www.mamamia.com.au/jamie-lee-curtis-body-image/?fbclid=IwAR1RS1njwbsfb4gLx3mf3pf1kptnEQ4M9ylPnBmJleMqsYeMFfcKX1TO5SE

and seeing some things on TikTok it seems like people regularly clench their tummy muscles or suck in their tummy. I have never even considered doing this, a midwife told me after I had my first son I should pull my tummy in, but I thought she was just being odd (she then milked me so it was an odd exchange).

So AIBU to ask if you suck in?

YABU - Yes, I clench / suck in / however you want to put it
YANBU - No, I don't do this

I tighten my core, yes. It's a thing they drum into you in Pilates.

I hold my belly in, I’m quite fat (working on this) and it’s uncomfortable to not tense it when standing. If I’m sitting it all hangs out

No never

Yes, I tighten my core when I am doing certain exercises. I also try and do stomach vacuuming when I wake up, and before I sleep.

I do when I remember! I have back problems and was advised to at physio, and also when I was into Pilates.
I also do my kegal exercises regularly as a result of both physio and Pilates.

I pull it in when seated too, only time I don't is when I'm lying down

I do unconsciously now. Not sure if it's a by product from horse riding or swimming or what. But my stomach muscles are pretty good so not complaining.

Yes all day every day

I was on a beach chatting to this older lady, and I said something about my tummy and she said "oh, honey, life is too short to worry about your tummy. Enjoy the beach." I try and remember those words.

I don't have an industrial hoover.

Yes, stomach vacuum regularly. Pulls everything up and in, gives you great muscles down below and a more defined waist.

I have quite a bad back and am wondering whether this would help.

I honestly didn't realise that people held themselves in this way, perhaps I missed the lesson at school or just haven't done the exercise classed that extol the virtues of it.

I think I used to. I stopped at some point. Interested in the comments above about back problems and core strength... I know this isn't the point of the year but perhaps I should start!

yes I do when I remember
imaginge pulling up your belly button.

Yes, most of the time, I think.

Yes, it helps massively with my posture, core and my back, it was drummed into me by my midwife and physio post back injury. I had to stop for a period post major abdominal surgery but once it was no longer painful and tender, I resumed and though it took me a long time to.get back to what it had been before, the benefits are even more obvious. Once you get into it, you do it without thinking

Yes because it is better for posture.

What the heck is stomach vacuuming?!

@FurForksSake

I have quite a bad back and am wondering whether this would help.

I honestly didn't realise that people held themselves in this way, perhaps I missed the lesson at school or just haven't done the exercise classed that extol the virtues of it.

It really would! I had such a bad back and this has really helped (amongst things including physio and Pilates and losing some weight).

Yes, as a pp said mine is definitely a product of horse riding and ballet. But it definitely helps with back problems and core strength.

I'm not sure I would describe it as sucking in the stomach, it's more a lifting and straightening of the spine and chest which sort of has the side effect of pulling your stomach in. Sorry that's not very clear.

@RandomBasic

I was on a beach chatting to this older lady, and I said something about my tummy and she said "oh, honey, life is too short to worry about your tummy. Enjoy the beach." I try and remember those words.

What a lot of people are referring to isn't about vanity it's about activating your core and engaging tummy muscles. V important for recovery after childbirth to feel which ones to engage etc a lovely female health physio showed me and I do feel much stronger.

Not bothered about the fact that it looks big though just happy to be strengthening the muscles underneath

OK, just googled stomach vacuuming, I am going to give this a go, maybe I will look a little better and my core will improve with my back pain?

This feels like when someone told me they sit down to wipe their bottom and I didn't believe that people did that and then discovered that lots of people do!

There are so many things that I assume are normal or that there is a single option for how it is done until you happen upon it in conversation and discover other ways.

@FurForksSake

OK, just googled stomach vacuuming, I am going to give this a go, maybe I will look a little better and my core will improve with my back pain?

This feels like when someone told me they sit down to wipe their bottom and I didn't believe that people did that and then discovered that lots of people do!

There are so many things that I assume are normal or that there is a single option for how it is done until you happen upon it in conversation and discover other ways.

You don't sit down? Do people stand?! I feel like I'm having the same revelation here in reverse!

I finish on the loo, I stand, I tear off paper, I wipe... honestly wasn't until I was an adult I realised people sat.

Wait, you stand up to wipe your arse?