Can stretching make you thinner?

by Rigel Celeste (Subscribe to Rigel Celeste's posts)
Apr 28th 2007 8:04AM

In principle it seems like stretching could make you thinner, because usually if you stretch something it changes shape to get longer and narrower. But obviously your muscles can't get any longer, not really. They are attached to your bones in certain places, and no amount of stretching is going to change that.

Stretching is good for your body in many ways, and it's something that should definitely be a regular part of your daily health and fitness routine. But of all the things stretching will do for you (including increased flexibility, increased circulation, and reduced stress), actually becoming thinner (unless it inspires you to lose weight) will not be one of them.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Kristina 4-29-2007 @ 12:18PM

Stretching...at least some of the poses, are very good for your glands. When your glands are healthy, you are healthier all over in many ways. Thyroid health is very important for staying slim. Also, when you feel more relaxed and in tune from yoga or stretching...you are less likely to overeat.

Samantha 4-29-2007 @ 1:28PM

As an avid yoga fan, I think that the misconception that yoga is only for "stretching" is annoying. Yoga does concentrate allot on stretching but, it also concentrates allot on strengthening. They are not mutually exclusive. Strong and long muscles will give you a leaner appearance. They are not as bulky looking. I have seen this in others as well as myself. Also strength with out flexibility is a recipe for serious injuries!
I believe that people who think yoga is easy, or just for stretching haven't really done it enough to know what yoga is really about!

Samantha Rufle
Feature Writer for Nutrition
Suite 101
http://nutrition.suite101.com/