I have hulk hogan abs!! Help!!

[DeathtoToasters]

Well the title says it all!

Everything seems to be going along normally but it seems like I am getting hulk hogan abs!

What I mean is that the top of my abs (which I guess would be the top two rows of boxes, if I could see them yet ) seem to be getting swollen or larger!

I don't know if they really are swollen or not but then look that way.

Is there something I am doing? Am I just not losing fat from that area yet?

Or am I just going crazy?

Thanks

[oldsuperman]

Well the title says it all!

Everything seems to be going along normally but it seems like I am getting hulk hogan abs!

What I mean is that the top of my abs (which I guess would be the top two rows of boxes, if I could see them yet ) seem to be getting swollen or larger!

I don't know if they really are swollen or not but then look that way.

Is there something I am doing? Am I just not losing fat from that area yet?

Or am I just going crazy?

Thanks

Pic's please. Yes, you might be crazy.

[ntrllftr]

Is it tender to the touch in that area?

[DeathtoToasters]

It is tough to the touch, not flabby.

[ntrllftr]

It is tough to the touch, not flabby.

that's not what I meant but ok.

[DeathtoToasters]

that's not what I meant but ok.

Did you mean does it hurt, that type of tender?

Nothing like that.

[ntrllftr]

Did you mean does it hurt, that type of tender?

Nothing like that.

yes.

Well it's not what I thought then.

If you just started recently then you need to see a doctor soon!

.

[Bando]

Well the title says it all!

Everything seems to be going along normally but it seems like I am getting hulk hogan abs!

What I mean is that the top of my abs (which I guess would be the top two rows of boxes, if I could see them yet ) seem to be getting swollen or larger!

I don't know if they really are swollen or not but then look that way.

Is there something I am doing? Am I just not losing fat from that area yet?

Or am I just going crazy?

Thanks

I used to be the same way, now I pretty much only work the lower abs, try that.

[DeathtoToasters]

It started 'looking' like that as I started to lose the pot belly.

[Marius_Ursus]

The most likely culprit is intra-abdominal fat pushing against your abdominal wall if they feel like muscle and not like a distension.

[oldsuperman]

The most likely culprit is intra-abdominal fat pushing against your abdominal wall if they feel like muscle and not like a distension.

Without pic's it is imposible to know for sure.... yet most likely this is right.

[DeathtoToasters]

Without pic's it is imposible to know for sure.... yet most likely this is right.

I will take some pics and upload then in the morning.

[oldsuperman]

I will take some pics and upload then in the morning.

Whewww! Now we're getting somewhere!

[DeathtoToasters]

I guess I can look at it this way.

Instead of having a whole lower section that is large...now it is only the top half :P

[SR800]

Pics?

[notgumbel]

Abdominal distension around the stomach area, just below ribcage?

[m1k3g0rd]

I'd suggest you put them back before he notices that they're gone...

[_VL]

I'm on board with the thoughts above... but IF you are theoretically looking for movements that will target the lower region proportionately more that the upper region, then keep in mind that movements where you are stabilizing the hips and lifting only the trunk do happen to be movements where there is relatively more greater muscle involvement in the upper region (along with the internal obliques also), as there is more muscle shortening and demand in that area during the movement.

Soooo, if you want to target the lower abdominal region, you may want to instead focus on increasing converse movements, such as the movements involved during reverse crunches where you lift your pelvis off the floor, thus challenging the lower abs more (along with the external obliques). Mind you, there is no such thing as isolation of these regions as you are not able to contract one section independent of the other, these movements simply change the demand and muscle shortening within the specific areas during the movement.

If you really want to get into learning about the impact of movements on any area of the abdominal region, there have been some neat studies that have examined the activity of all the abdominal muscles or the recruitment of regions of the abdominal muscles during maneuvers!

In the meantime, as someone already mentioned, you really should give Hulk his abs back as he's already had enough stuff taken away from him recently (LOL).

[DeathtoToasters]

Ok I am posting these pics reluctantly. I hate pictures....when I get the body I am working for, I will feel better about pics.

So please don't tell anyone else I am sharing this pics





What I am seeing as 'HH Abs' is the bulging section where there would normally be the first 2 rows of boxes.

Like I mentioned in the original post, maybe it is just me being too critical of me, but from looking down from above, they look like they are poking WAYYYY out.

Thanks for the advise.

[ntrllftr]

I am going to keep my opinion to myself.

I can say...

Are you serious about this?????

.

[DeathtoToasters]

I am going to keep my opinion to myself.

I can say...

Are you serious about this?????

.

Yes I was serious....I didn't mean anything more then they felt and looked swollen. I said I may just be crazy.....I guess I am just so critical.

I am taking your answer as...just keep working and stop worrying.

Am I correct in saying that?

[ntrllftr]

I am taking your answer as...just keep working and stop worrying.

Am I correct in saying that?

Yes.
looks totally normal to me.

You definitly do need to keep the cardio going.

SOOOO keep up a clean diet and cardio.

.

[DeathtoToasters]

Yes.
looks totally normal to me.

You definitly do need to keep the cardio going.

SOOOO keep up a clean diet and cardio.

.

Thanks for the advise. I have to stop looking down

[oldsuperman]

The most likely culprit is intra-abdominal fat pushing against your abdominal wall if they feel like muscle and not like a distension.

OK. The above is exactly correct. As you lose more fat, it will look better and be smaller and semetrical.

Don't worry for now.

[jmhester]

I have the same issue. I think it's a combo of several things: heavy ab work (weighted roman chairs), no cardio, and a bulking diet. Some creatine bloats me up, too.
My personal thoughts are that you (and I) are enlarging the upper ab muscles (they grow just like any other muscle) and viceral fat pushing out on the abdominal wall. Look at powerlifters and they kind of have the same kind of abs.
Anyway, I'm switching over to hanging knee raises only after reading this post. Thanks from another Hulk Hogan ab dude!

[_VL]

Thanks for the pics! Don't ever be scared of pics as they can help others, and more importantly you, step back and take an objective look. Also, how can you appreciate where you're going if you don't have something to remember where you've been?! NEVER apologize for where you are if you are one of the rare non-complacent folks who is actively in transition. Be proud as you're a work in progress, which is always a beautiful thing to behold! (Not being fresh, everyone knows I get corny and mushy when seeing someone make a commitment to better his/her physical health.)

Based on the general appearance of your pics (and assuming that there are no other factors or concerns re:abdominal distention), once your bf% goes down, you'll have a better handle on the status of your ab region. Just my two cents...