If there’s a muscle in your body that can help you be a better mom, look great in a bikini, and provide an insurance policy against injury, would you take the time to develop it? If the answer is yes, keep reading…
Still with me? The muscle I am referring to is the Transverse Abdominis (TA). It is located in your abdomen. The TA provides the foundation for all efficient movement due to its direct and indirect stabilizing relationship with the other muscles. Have you ever tried walking on a trampoline? It is quite uncomfortable and difficult to move on such an unstable surface. Your muscles can’t operate efficiently because there isn’t a solid foundation under you.
Instead, walking on firm ground is easy. A stable base allows your muscles to work with maximum efficiency and ease. Your TA muscle acts as the internal foundation of your body. It provides a solid platform for your other muscles to work their best. This is how it will help you:
Be a Better Mom: Moms need energy and strength to take care of their babies. Having a strong TA muscle prevents your body from wasting energy, which means you have more for you and your baby. Let’s face it: the more energy we have, the better parents we can be.
Look Great in a Bikini: The TA muscle sits below the Rectus Abdominis muscles (the six-pack abdominal muscles). Here is the difference between the two; If you’ve ever seen bodybuilders with a six-pack stomach, they have highly developed rectus abdominis muscles. The problem is that when these muscles develop, they grow outward. If you have very little body fat, it creates a six pack effect and can look great if you’re into that. However, if you have a layer of fat over those muscles, it can make you look fatter and bulge your belly. Developing the rectus abdominis muscles is like letting go of the belt.
The TA muscle actually grows inward when you build it. It’s like tightening your belt or wearing a muscle girdle. So regardless of your current body fat percentage, building this muscle can help flatten your stomach and make you feel better in a bikini. For those with less body fat, a strong TA muscle also creates a “frame” of sexy definition around your stomach. That’s what makes swimsuit model stomachs look so attractive without being overly muscular.
Safe: Because your TA muscle acts like a muscle belt and helps stabilize your pelvis, it provides more support against external forces (impacts, physical stress, etc.). When you bend, twist, run, or move to care for your baby, you are subjected to a number of forces. A strong TA muscle helps you efficiently transfer force throughout your body through your muscles, rather than your back and joints. Having a strong AT is like an insurance policy against the forces that create aches, pains, and injuries from the repetitive physical motions of childcare.
The first step to getting a stronger TA muscle is knowing how to activate it. Actually, as a mom you activated your TA when you were pushing during labor and delivery. However, when you are not on the delivery table, you may want to use the following techniques. This is a conscious process that requires practice. But once you get it you can get great results.
activate
1. Lie on your back and bring your belly button in toward your spine without holding your breath. Place a toy block on his stomach while doing this and he should sink. Now move the block up and down while breathing normally. You are using your transversus abdominis. Now stand up and do the same. (without the block)
2. While wearing a belt, separate your belly button from the belt without holding your breath. Feel the space between your stomach and the belt. Now hold that space while breathing normally. Your TA is activated.
Activating your TA muscle is the first step to building your most important MommyMuscle. In future posts, I’ll give you some exercises to build a TA to be proud of…