Is Rib Gripping Causing Your Tummy Pooch?

postpartum health
 

Let's talk about Rib Gripping.

Do you find yourself constantly sucking in your stomach and gripping your ribs to achieve a slimmer look? While rib gripping may seem like a harmless habit, it could actually be causing your tummy pooch to stick around.

When you constantly engage your rib muscles, you are not allowing your diaphragm to fully expand, which can lead to shallow breathing and poor posture.

This constant tension in your upper body can also put strain on your lower back and abdomen, causing your tummy to protrude. Instead of relying on rib gripping to hold everything in, try focusing on strengthening your core muscles through exercises like planks and squats.

By developing a strong core, you can naturally hold in your stomach without having to constantly grip your ribs.

So next time you catch yourself rib gripping, remember that there are healthier and more effective ways to achieve a flatter tummy.

Do you have definition in your upper abdominals, but never seem to get that lower 'tummy pooch' toned up?

You might be ‘gripping through your ribs’, let me explain the signs to watch for and what you can do about it.

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It all comes back to the breath.

Can you easily take a deep breath? Or is there some tightness that's preventing the simple diaphragmatic breath from being it’s most optimal?

If you're tight in the upper abs or gripping through your ribs, then there can be excessive pressure put onto your lower tummy (hello mummy pooch!) or into your pelvic floor (and no mama wants that!).

So let's talk about your IAP (Intra-Abdominal Pressure) and how to regulate, not only in your exercises but in your daily movements too. But there can be this extra level of frustration when you think you're doing the right thing, just not getting the results.

Is this you?

The body is incredible at continuing to function, even when there are muscles that are way out of whack in terms of tightness. But this 'rib gripping' could be why you've had so much trouble with that stubborn 'mummy pooch'.

Are any of the below happening for you?

  1. Your lower abdomen feels like it will never tone, and forever bulges out.
  2. You have pelvic floor issues that are persistent no matter what you do.
  3. Your upper abs are more defined than the others
  4. Your upper abs are always seem to switch on first in our core work you do.
  5. To breathe deep into diaphragmatic breathing is uncomfortable for you.

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I'm here to help. I've got answers for you and it all starts with:

  1. Focusing on your posture with ribs naturally sitting over your hips
  2. Breathing deep and relaxing
  3. Releasing the tension through massage / myofascial release
  4. Using my PregActive Method to correctly activate your core.
  5. Knowledge is power and I'm here to educate you.

As always, ask me your questions, I'm here to help.