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I have terrible posture. Any tips on correcting?

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Replies

  • hutchy100
    hutchy100 Posts: 103 Member
    Pilates or yoga i had this problem and within 6 months i felt 1000 times better
  • housegirl2
    housegirl2 Posts: 79 Member
    Yoga and Pilates
  • jarredondo
    jarredondo Posts: 284 Member
    Pilates I started taking a Pilates class 2 days a week. Within a couple of weeks I could feel myself sitting and standing straighter.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Try these...

    Doorway pec stretches – stretch your pecs
    Shoulder dislocations – improves shoulder flexiblity
    Thoracic Extension on roller – eliminates hunchback posture

    (Found near the bottom of: http://stronglifts.com/squat-bar-position/ )
  • purpleipod
    purpleipod Posts: 1,147 Member
    Strengthen your core, it helps support your whole torso. Be aware of your posture and correct yourself every time you're slouching. Eventually it will become a habit.
  • Hernandeak11
    Hernandeak11 Posts: 351 Member
    One thing that helps me is to have the driver's seat in my car as upright as possible! It's something small, but it definitely made a difference for me!
  • cannonsky
    cannonsky Posts: 850 Member
    yoga and strength training... assuming you use proper form for both, will help with posture
  • Letters24You
    Letters24You Posts: 263 Member
    I have horrible posture as well! When I decided to get fit I learned that you have to tell yourself, at all times, shoulders back, stomache in. I tell my self that all day long at my desk job, when I'm walking and when I'm driving. I still catch my self slouching but I'm confident that after a few weeks it will come natural.
  • AmyJo54915
    AmyJo54915 Posts: 103
    I'm the same. I think it's because I was 5'10" when I was in 6th grade, and didn't want to be taller than everyone (boys included!). Now I just have to be aware, and when I catch myself slumping I stand up straight. I don't know if there's any other way to fight it!

    That's why I have bad posture! Being tall is so awkward!!

    This! I was the tallest kid in my class until about 8th grade...I hated it! Now I am proud to be 6 feet tall!
  • sjv1966
    sjv1966 Posts: 121 Member
    Another option would be ballet or probably any kind of dance class. I started taking ballet about a year ago and really, really love it. I have tried yoga but have never been able to get into it -- ballet really struck a chord with me and it has helped amazingly. I feel like I finally actually know how to stand with good posture. Now the trick is remembering to do it in real life!

    About the same time that I started ballet a friend pointed out to me that I often walked hunched over. I started trying to correct myself every time I noticed it and now most of the time when I think to check I am standing straight. I am still not, however, doing all the things that they teach you in ballet class such as keeping a neutral spine (I tend to stick my butt out a bit) and keeping your shoulders down and back and keeping your head lifted on your spine and keeping your belly in. I am trying to work on that but at least I standing up straight and not hunching over like I used to.

    I seriously think that you can look like you lost 10 lbs just by standing straight and tall (and pulling your stomach in).
  • ryn013
    ryn013 Posts: 116
    Try to be self conscious about your posture! When you're standing spread your weight equally between the ball of your foot and heels, go by a mirror and align your ears slightly over your shoulders, and with your hips. When sitting, keep your back against your chair and feet flat on the floor.
    Add in a quick 20 minute yoga sesh each day as well:) Like this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6Wt9CFb-4s&feature=my_liked_videos&list=LL5O-HgmRRf4MVRON_QOIydA
    Then work on upper body strength - it doesn't have to be strenuous exercises but to 'up the ante' add in weights if you feel they are too easy :)
  • Khaillu
    Khaillu Posts: 12 Member
    Hey, I have the same problem, I'm 5'8" and busty so for me it was partly slouching to not be so awkwardly tall and partly just having a tired back from the chest weight. I totally agree with everyone that has been saying yoga but I wanted to post a link to a free online yoga class I've been doing daily, Each session is 1 hour long and not too advanced for a beginner. What I like is that the instructor focuses a lot on the hip-knee-ankle line and on having a straight healthy spine. I started at lesson 101 (for beginners) and then went back to the start at lesson 1. I did lesson 6 this morning so I guess I've been doing it for a week and I can already feel my shoulders being more flexible. My posture was so bad that it was physically painful to stand properly and I feel like I've already broke through that huge knot keeping my shoulders forward and in toward my chest. Anyway, here is the link, enjoy.

    http://blip.tv/namasteyoga
  • katy4399
    katy4399 Posts: 136 Member
    Thank you for all the tips and suggestions. I am at work sitting up straight. It aches, but I know if will get easier!
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