Contracted Abs

Running is a good way to loose weight! Yes, we have all heard that before!

In fact, most issues of Runner's World tell us this fact and to back it up, they usually show someone with skinny, flat washboard abs on the cover.

Being thin and fit is good, however, If your stomach looks like a washboard, you are contracting your abdominals. You should not do this, as your abs should be relaxed and thus your belly should protrude (even if you have no fat near your belly).

Why do people contract their abs??? Most of us are ashamed of our bellies and want to "suck" it in.

CONTRACTING YOUR ABS, while making us look more skinny, DOES 5 THINGS:
A) Forces you to flatten the natural curve of your lower back.
B) Forces you to round your shoulders.
C) Forces you to bend at the waste.
D) Moves your center of mass inward.
E) Makes it impossible for you to breath deeply

And when you run....contracting your abs will make it harder for you to run faster!