I recall my friend’s mother warning me not to do my immature third grade “I’m pregnant” act because pushing my stomach out consistantly would give me a pot belly. I failed to heed her warning, and now I find myself looking somewhat rotund despite not having too much fat on me. Is it possible that stretching and pushing one’s stomach out will leave fat?
No. Eating too much and not exercising it off is what makes fat.
No. If anything, pushing and holding out your stomach for extended periods might even help tone your ab muscles.
I’ve had success suggesting “in-chair” abdominal exercise (for office workers) as well as a conscious awareness of abdominal tonus while walking/standing in routine activities. While some slight bulge may be normal for many people (it’s common to over or under ewstimate one’s own bulge), it can often be significantly reduced if one makes a conscious effort to develop a simple habit of maintaining a more “shapely” tone. in my experience, many people on casual exercise programs don’t derive the maximum benefit, because although their abdominal muscles may be perfectly adequate, they simply don’t carry themselves well.
One sees a similar effect with posture almost every day. Altering habitual tonus is no cure-all, but (at least in some people) it can be a significant help.
There may be an psychological component as well, just as with posture. I suspect that a newfound sense of body-satisfaction and accomplishment contributes to further gains in body- and overall satisfaction, as well as improvements in other areas of life. I also suspect that exogenous circumstances can interfere with lasting results.
Sorry, I don’t know of any good literature on the subject.