Two questions about stomachs and ab muscles...possibly related

Swampyseifer

Swampyseifer

Swampyseifer

Associate
Joined
9 Jan 2008
Posts
511
Location
UK
Ok, so as some of you may know...I made a complete lifestyle change around 18 months ago and since that point I have lost just over 9 stone.

Question 1.
I'm worried about my stomach, and associated muscles (abs?)

When I lay down, my stomach sinks in! Not just like a little bit but completely...I mean there’s *at least* an inch, feels like more, height difference between my ribcage and my stomach.

Is this normal? Strange question but having never had a body shape where this could happen before, I'm not sure!

Question 2.
Been going to the gym 3 times a week for around 9 months as well now. Probably a month ago I finally got the nerve to jog/run on the treadmill (silly belief that at my old weight, I'd break it!). When I've been jogging/running for a few minutes I get a sharp pain "inside" my right lower ribs...almost feels like the last or penultimate rib. It feels like a stitch pain, but I know it cant be because I dont eat for at least an hour before the gym and it only comes when I'm using the treadmill for jogging or running and it is EVERY TIME I do it.

Normally if I just keep running it goes away and I normally end up jogging/running near enough a mile each time I go to the gym. At first I thought it would go away after I did the treadmill for a few weeks...muscles not being used to the work and all that...but it still happens every time!

I spoke to the gym personal trainer and he said it might be to do with having weak core muscles...which is where it ties in to the first question. If I have completely ignored my core muscles do you think that would explain the ache when jogging/running and also why my stomach just sinks down when I'm laying down?

I do some ab crunches every other time or so in the gym (so probably about 60 a week)...do you think maybe I need to up my game somewhat with them?

Thanks for any help!
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the link, will have a go at some of the ones on there!

Just for info tho...was looking up my jogging pain and found this

Muscle Cramps in Athletes

Most of us experience them at one time or another. That sharp twinge of pain just below the rib cage usually on the right. It is particularly common in runners and has been known to slow some down to a walk until the pain subsides.

Up until recently there was no clear explanation for the cause of this annoying cramp, also called exercise related transient abdominal pain (ETAP). Now researchers believe that the side stitch is caused by stretching the ligaments that extend from the diaphragm to the internal organs, particularly the liver. The jarring motion of running while breathing in and out stretches these ligaments. Runners tend to exhale every two or four steps. Most people exhale as the left foot hits the ground, but some people exhale when the right foot hits the ground. It is the later group who seem more prone to get side stitches.

Exhaling when the right foot hits the ground causes greater forces on the liver (which is on the right side just below the rib cage). So just as the liver is dropping down the diaphragm raises for the exhalation. It is believed this repeated stretching leads to spasms in the diaphragm.

Stopping a Side Stitch
To stop a side stitch when running, stop running and place your hand into the right side of your belly and push up, lifting the liver slightly. Inhale and exhale evenly as you push up.

Preventing a Side Stitch
To prevent a side stitch, take even, deep breaths while running. Shallow breathing tends to increase the risk of cramping because the diaphragm is always slightly raised and never lowers far enough to allow the ligaments to relax. When this happens the diaphragm becomes stressed and a spasm or "stitch" is more likely.

Some other ways to alleviate the pain of a side stitch include:

* Time your eating. Having food in your stomach during a workout may increase cramping by creating more force on the ligaments (avoid eating one to two hours before a workout)
* Stretching may prevent or relieve a cramp. Raise your right arm straight up and lean toward the left. Hold for 30 seconds, release, then stretch the other side.
* Slow down your pace until pain lessens.
* Breathe deep to stretch the diaphragm.
* Drink before exercise; dehydration can increase muscle cramps.
* Massage or press on the area with pain. Bend forward to stretch the diaphragm and ease the pain.
* * If you continue to experience pain, see your doctor.

Source: Morton DP, Callister R. Factors influencing exercise-related transient abdominal pain. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 2002 May.
Click to expand...

Stitch pain on the lower right rib area...sounds just like what I described above!
 
This calmed me down...
MoNkeE said:
Probably not mate, think it's normal. When I lay down my ribs stick out further than the bottom on my stomach. Unless I have a MASSIVE meal :p
Click to expand...

This panicked me!
icecold said:
Impossible to know without seeing you.

It could be that your ribs are out of position, or you could be over extending your spine somewhere around your thoracic-lumbar junction.

Core work will certainly do no harm, provided it's done correctly.
Click to expand...

I would like to think its normal, just that I've never really been of a healthy state where my stomach is not blaoted out so I've never see it before!

Can you tell from a photo, I can try and take one when I get home (work is not the best place to go lay down, topless, and take pictures!

In some ways I hope its not normal, or at least I can do something about it without just putting weight back on. It looks and feels nasty...one thing I always said to myself when I started loosing weight was that I didnt want to get skinny/boney.
 
Thanks for looking...

Its odd to think that if I hadnt been a salad-dodger my whole life I would have noticed it before! Its also kinda funny that 2 years ago it was the complete reverse and my gut was *above* my ribcage!

I ended up booking an appointment with the GP as I have another issue I need to see him about anyway...so I might as well pass it by him for free before I go off paying £30+ for a chiro session! :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom