Extended, bloated bellies have everything to do with poor diets, becoming too large in the off season and an organ called the omentum.
If you pick up a medical A&P text that is detailed and updated, you will find an organ known as the greater and lesser omentum, (I won't go through all the technical mumbo) that is located under the abdominal wall, and attaches to the stomach, colon and the liver. This organ is primarily composed of fat tissue with a cover of what is called peritoneum.
This organ serves as a sort of filter and deposit for excess fat that is consumed (saturated fat). As such this organ is able to grow larger in relation to fat consumption independently of subcutaneous fat deposit. As this organ grows larger it creates a round belly and pushes against the abdominal muscle creating a hard or extended belly (EB).
Does anyone have that uncle who eats fried foods and drinks beer all day with the 10in biceps 15 inch legs and a belly you could ski down? Or the guy in the gym with the 22 inch arms barrelled chest, massive legs & a gut so round you think he is pregnant. This is an example of an enlarged omentum, and my bet is uncle jimmy lou and those guys that every gym in this country has isn't as fit as he thinks. No, I am certain of it.
If you look on any BB stage you will no doubt see many guys who when relaxed still have a six pack, but an extended round belly. Typically most BB's will only diet down for a period of 12 weeks, allowing enough time to adequately shed subcutaneous body fat, but not sufficient time to shrink back down the omentum (which can be done by the way).
For example after the new IFBB regulations of EB, Ronnie Coleman came in that year with a flatter stomach. On top of better abdominal control, he stayed in a contest diet mode all year round and ate less over all food (including saturated fat). Look big arms, shoulders and legs may look impressive, but it's your gut that tells the world just how disciplined and fit you are.
http://AbFitt.blogspot.com