Quote: Part of our issues with bloating are in perception. I think you perceive or feel your arms seem smaller because your belly seems bigger. I don't think it is possible to have smaller biceps because of bloating. And when you lift weights you are breaking the muscle down each time and it grows bigger and stronger after it recovers (why you can't do weights two days in a row). You probably know that. But it wouldn't really be possible for the muscle to seem smaller after some workouts. It might not bulge as high if it is tired or if you are tired. I have noticed when I am worn out after a lot of work I can't make my biceps bulge as high to look at them. I think understanding your own perception is involved will make you more accepting of not looking the way you want 100% of the time.
As hard as this is for you to believe, I am telling you, I swear, that when my stomach is bloated my biceps/shoulders are NOTICABLY smaller and feel weaker.
It is like all of the strength, all of the muscle, has been drained into my gut. When I feel not bloated, it feels like all of the "stuff" in my gut has been distrubuted to my body and I look cut and strong.
There is a definite inverse relationship...it is not in my head. My shoulders and posture are more compressed when bloated. When not bloated they are more broad. I see and feel this...I know it is not in my head.