When the abdomen is completely relaxed, is it supposed to look like a beer belly?

[Dojomaster]

When I see someone like Cursor, i saw his before and after picture and I notice that his before picture his stomach is very round and beer-belly like (no offense Cursor. Is the "after" picture such that if he completely relaxed his stomach, it would be flat like that still? Or would it still look round (except more define)?


Usually I keep my abs mildly contracted and its been like that for the past couple of years. But if i want to completely let go of my abs, they will become beer-belly like (i'll try to post pictures).

I might have lordosis, I'm not sure, and if I do i've heard that it's probably not a good idea to do things like squats and deadlifts until the lower back and abs are strong enough (for correct posture).

When I do deadlifts and pendlay rows (i'm doing rippetoe's routine), i notice a lot of comperssional force on my lower spine (it doesn't hurt though it feelts "uncomfortable" in a weird way --- doesn't feel like muscle, i'm not sure if its the spine itself or the erectae contracting or what).

I read that sotmach vacuums and PLANKS are good.

I tried planks with no weight for like 10 seconds, and THEY WERE TOUGH (and they gave a really nice pull on my lower abdomen which is something that crunches never seem to workout)

I understand that working out the abdomen needs to be done and that the psoas muscle (hip flexor) should be stretched out because it might be too tight?

Crunches don't tarrget the lower part of the abdomen as well (mostly the upper abdomen gets a good workout). Leg lifts, after like 3 of them, start working out my hip flexors i think, but the planks seemed to be doing a good job with my lower abs though i'm not sure if that's what their intended purpose is.

What do you guys think ?

Edit: When I do crunches, it seems as though that my abs seem to be pushed outwards, it hink this may be because my T.A. is weak so only the rectal abdominus is being used while my bodies natural distended figure is being used.

What exercises/posture corrections/etc. should I do to get that muscular bulge of my abs become flat?

http://www.fotosearch.com/comp/LIF/LIF127/3D708003.jpg

when i fully contract, my ab slightly bulges out at the bottom (middle picture) compared to the leftmost picture (which is normal)

Also, when you're sleeping, should you still maintain a decent (not completely flexed) but also not fully relaxed pose when sleeping.

[Lady C]

You are too concerned over little things. Abs are the last thing to take shape. Be patient. Work hard, get enough sleep, eat right and things will happen.

If you look at Cursor's pictures it is two years between pictures. Patience is a virtue.

[minime]

how are u planning to control how relaxed your abs are while sleeping?!

when I tense my abs up they look nice, like you I usually have them half tensed, but if I totally relax my tummy it is a different story : no definition and slightly beer-belly look i guess. And I am thin. So my advice do not relax them fully: good posture is to have shoulders back and tummy pulled in a little anyway, so just work on your posture.

Yes, abs are last to surface : your bodyfat will need to be low. I say take lady c's advice and stop overthinking things. The results will come, if you give it time.

good luck!

[sooner_ed]

Originally Posted by Lady C

You are too concerned over little things.

I fully agree.

[.V.]

Hey man, you are forgetting the most important thing.

BULKING BELLIES ARE SEXY.

Now get to eating, sleeping, and growing.

[CF-OC_gal]

Go read this article. It's right on and gives you your answer.

Here's a good one about magazine covers

[bodyshop20]

Try going on all 4s like a dog and pratice pulling stomach up.
This uses an old system arni used called vacuum.
You will educate and strenthen the diaphram.
Only a 100% lean man can show a flat relaxed ab area
So dont look at people and think wow look a flat stomach.
They are posing, Even cursor (who has done a miricle to his body)

[cursor]

Originally Posted by Dojomaster

When I see someone like Cursor, i saw his before and after picture and I notice that ...

Originally Posted by Brat

Go read this article. It's right on and gives you your answer.

Uh ... thanks Brat for that vote of confidence and the false light that you shed on my fitness efforts/results.

[Your_Crazy]

WOW thats awesome!!!! i want to be on a magazine cover so I can look like someone else. LOL

[CF-OC_gal]

Cursor! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There was no false light being shed on you at all. You have made an incredible transformation and the knowledge you share about it proves it.

I didn't mean that you did that! I just meant that Dojomaster could see what a fit belly looks like relaxed or even distended! That first picture of the guy does not look all that appealling. Its the same thing in some female bodybuilding profiles I read about. In some posed photos the girls look cut and muscular but in the photos of them working out in the gym or relaxed on stage they look like, well ordinary everyday women.

[cursor]

Oh ... cool. Thanks for the clarification. :

[CF-OC_gal]

Cursor, you and your photos are a real motivation around here.

[arbit]

Originally Posted by cursor

Uh ... thanks Brat for that vote of confidence and the false light that you shed on my fitness efforts/results.

Cursor's hilarios !!!!!!!!!!