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

Right, I don't feel like I could access the whole area. I wouldn't feel clean, I don't think

That's what I'm thinking (on standing to wipe that is). Don't your bum cheeks close together when standing?

Or do you squat? Which would then exercise the thighs, which brings us nicely back to pilates, which I was going to suggest to the OP, to help her bad back. So engaging the core, aka sucking your tummy in, as well as bending and stretching,

@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 is a key part of pilates training and really helps to tighten your core as a whole. Pilates teachers often talk about imaging you are closing lift doors and then sucking up your pelvic floor and core as if trying to put on a tight pair of jeans.

The support of a strong pelvic floor and muscles really helps back issues.

I had crippling back issues when my son was 18 months old and pilates really helped.

I would try and go to a pilates class specialising in back care / gentle to start with. Rather than just sucking your stomach in though if you want to help ease back issues.

Never really thought about it as "holding tummy in", but an instructor told me ages ago that if you make a "vvvvvvv" sound, you'll automatically engage your core and have the right feeling of how you should hold yourself during exercises.

I agree with Pilates and an instructor (or a personal trainer for a couple of sessions) before doing anything that could harm your back more.

I have a bad back and it truly helps. I do not know whether I look any better.

Engaging the deep core is not sucking in - it is more of a drawing together (the muscle - TVA - resembles a corset). It is hard to learn to do it properly - beginners pilates is the best way to learn (and I mean absolute beginners, no matter how fit you already are). There is a huge focus on the 6 pack muscles (rectus abdominis) in fitness but the deep core is a lot more important.

A pp said that they were taught to engage the core in backbends in yoga - this is weird - backbends stretch the core, so the opposite of engaging. Glutes support the back in backbends - ignore any yoga teacher who tells you to relax them.

I am a yoga teacher (trained to teach pilates too).

So, not everyone sucks in, but many people engage their core and hold themselves.

I am going to try to do this and maybe look for a Pilates class. My posture definitely could do with a lot of work.

It's all about better posture, I don't 'suck' in but I do imagine a piece of sting from the top of my head lifting everything up and back.

Proper posture can take half a stone off me, I've done yoga for years and just started Pilates.

I stand whilst wiping my bum (or slight squat!!) If I didn't, I would have to put my hand down the loo 😲
I was also 'milked' by the breastfeeding gestapo at my hospital, I laugh now, but at the time, it was pretty surreal!

@Aworldofmyown

I stand whilst wiping my bum (or slight squat!!) If I didn't, I would have to put my hand down the loo 😲 I was also 'milked' by the breastfeeding gestapo at my hospital, I laugh now, but at the time, it was pretty surreal!

My people!

@LoveCleanLaundry

Does the stomach vacuuming help support your lower back, or middle area of back, out of interest?

The short answer is both! Your lower back is probably most at risk though.

What it basically does is allow you to transfer force from the floor through your middle to your arms. Be that lifting an arm in a queenly waves (arms are heavy!!) or bending over to pick up a toddler. You brace on the floor, pivot through your middle and move your top half. Engaging your deep abdominals reinforces the pivot point and reduces wear and tear.

@theglitch

Never really thought about it as "holding tummy in", but an instructor told me ages ago that if you make a "vvvvvvv" sound, you'll automatically engage your core and have the right feeling of how you should hold yourself during exercises.

@theglitch Omg that works! I love MN every day I learn something new.

Yes it's brilliant isn't it!

@theglitch @fairyliz

that worked for me too! Totally engaged my spare tyre

I do it unconsciously all day every day. I have great abs. Even after 5 children. You'd never know. Except for the large ring of fat over them.

Lol all the time 😅. However I once had an ex cuddle me while I was sleeping and ask me the following morning if I do this as he'd gone to put his arm round me and felt I had a stomach 😬. He seemed quite disgusted.....but then on another occasion he also told me I was ugly without makeup lol but later admitted he said it to upset me. Total t**t

Also used to do yogalates.

No, not in normal life, but I do work on my core strength so it doesn't particularly stick out.

This thread has made me laugh and cringe in equal measures🤗

Stomach - I try to but after three kids the overhang doesn't listen!🤔
Toilet - both, clean sitting initially from the back, then stand and clean..... I like to be thorough😌
Milking - Biggest cringe😱 breastfed three and never had the pleasure...... Thank goodness🙏

I used to all the time and didn't even realise it.
Then I got pregnant and when my bump arrived it felt so odd (and liberating!) to not do it.
Haven't done it since...

I have separated stomach muscles.

Will sucking everything in help??

I’ve always held my tummy in, it would feel weird not to!
I was thinking this when I was reading the flat stomach thread. Like yeah I have a flat tummy if I’m holding it in, which I always am, but if I relax it then it sticks out! So is it flat or not

@Easterbunnyiswindowshopping

I have separated stomach muscles.

Will sucking everything in help??

There are exercises you can do to help "knit" them back together. It's a slow process though - I spent nine months working with a physio twice a week to repair mine.

Swimming and Pilates (again!) can help too, but if it's a serious separation (I could get my whole fist between mine) you need to see a physio to at least get started.

After I had my second baby my mil used to tell me she sucked her stomach in after having kids. She pissed me off so much there is no way I would be doing that. Plus after two caesareans my muscles don’t do what my brain wants them to do even 20 years later! I wish it was that easy.

I do it without thinking and have since I was a teenager. It's great for your core.