Dooley Noted: 5/7/2014
My hypothesis continues to be tested and is repeatedly supported:
People would rather suck in the gut and destabilize their backs than be in danger of looking “fat” through the belly.
I always give patients the benefit of the doubt, since many of us are told most of our lives to suck in our guts.
But once you learn how to breathe again, it’s your responsibility to keep it going.
You’re also not fooling anyone. Most people are glancing at you, not staring at you. A strong, stable back looks tall and confident, not “fat.”
So, please stop sucking in your gut.
Please don’t walk round with your belly button always tucked to your spine.
Never tuck your belly button to your spine and then put yourself under load!
Breathe in with 360 degrees of abdominal expansion, like an inner tube is being filled around your trunk. This lets your diaphragm drop down and pelvic floor tighten to support organs on the inhale.
On the exhale, the inner tube deflates slightly, with a “micro-tension” maintained in 360 degrees around the trunk.
Place your fingers on the front, sides, and back as you breathe into the abdomen. Do you feel equal expansion maintained in 360 as you inhale? Can you maintain “micro-tension” as you exhale?
Forget crunches. Work the abs in a full range of motion 25,000 reps (breaths) per day.
You’ll be calm, confident, and not hobbled over in pain.
People may see you. Clearly you’re concerned, or you wouldn’t suck in. No one will be thinking you’re fat when they see a strong, stable body in control of the breath.
And they only think about you for a second. You need to live in a pain-free body as long as you can.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley