Fit Tip: Improve Your Posture in a Snap!
Like many little girls, I spent a majority of my youth in ballet slippers perfecting my arabesque and chassé. I dreamed of becoming a prima ballerina. Within weeks of my first lesson I became obsessed and proclaimed to my parents that I would only walk around our home on my tiptoes. While my ballet days are far behind me, there is one thing that has stuck with me: Posture! For me, it’s something I haven’t had to think about—and for that I am grateful. However, for some ladies it’s a habit that haunts them throughout their days…and they might not even know that it could be undermining their fitness efforts!
In light of this month’s theme to “Be Better,” I thought posture would be an appropriate topic to cover. Not only can poor posture have negative effects on your physique (increased belly fat, double chin and varicose veins), it can also have serious implications on your health (heart strain, pinched nerves). Plus, if you’re a go-getter, posture is a must! In today’s culture, good posture communicates confidence, alertness and strength. All of these are key traits of success. Considering these facts, I thought I’d share a few of my best tips for keeping your posture in check…
5 Tips for Perfect Posture
- Have a ball. If you’re bound to a desk, I suggest sitting on a yoga ball. It may look totally silly, but it’s so good for your core and your posture. Here at the LC headquarters, we rotate sitting on an exercise ball.
- Time it. Every hour, squeeze together your shoulder blades for an instant posture pick-me-up. Also, be sure to give these stretches a try.
- Think up! If you feel your head or shoulders jut forward, pull them back and act as if a string were pulling you up from the top of your head.
- Get some help. If you sit in a chair most of the day, try getting a back pad to add some lumbar support and keep your posture in check.
- Remind yourself. As with all new habits, remind yourself to straighten up!
A few more pointers…
If you’re sitting… Remember to keep your neck and back in line. Also, your legs should be at a 90-degree angle to your body for optimal posture and comfort. Below is fellow LC contributor, Allison, showcasing proper seated posture:
If you’re standing… Keep most of the weight on the balls of your feet with your neck and back in alignment, with your stomach tucked in and shoulder blades pulled back.
If you’re lifting something… Did you know there is a proper way to lift things? Instead of bending at the waist to pick something up, it’s best to bend your knees to lower first, and then lift.
And there you have it!
Speaking of being better, have you checked out our post about the spinach swap? If not, it’s a must-read…especially for those of you who LOVE pasta (like me).
What area of your life are you trying to “be better” in? Share below and we might do a post to help you out!
Xx Alex
Team LC
Photo:BlogSpot, LaurenConrad.com
Sources: Scoi.com, Livestrong.com, Wikipedia
42 comments
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thank you for the tips! I am bound to my desk and need to keep in check!
http://abeautynerd.blogspot.com/ -
I'm trying to be a more beautiful person, inside and out. I'm trying to be more tolerant of people, and I am also trying to quit the horrid habit of smoking. -
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I'm trying to be better in having a positive attitude and not always have a negative aspect. I'm also trying to be better in creating a healthier lifestyles for myself. And learn to better myself as in being me all around just me and not be so shy and have anxiety or social anxiety. This year I'm just trying to better myself. Cause when you don't love yourself others can't love you
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Hi. Good advice in the article. If you use a computer a lot then as noted good posture is important - so is getting up regularly from your desk. As hooleywithaz suggests, a post it reminder could help (or a calendar reminder) but these quickly become "background" that you ignore. My husband has created a more active solution to help you protect yourself from back pain - Postureminder software that uses your webcam to automatically check your posture and remind you whenever you've been sitting badly for an extended period.
I know I'm biased but I think it's a great, simple solution. He's got a 30-day free trial download on his website so surely worth a look?
http://www.postureminder.co.uk -
Very good tips! I always try to remind myself not to slouch. Check out my blog: http://thechicstreetblog.blogspot.com/ -
as someone who works at a desk 9 hours a day, this is something that is a real problem. even remembering to stretch can be a problem when you get busy. i'm thinking maybe a post-it reminder on my monitor could do the trick?
http://hooleywithaz.com -
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good posture is very important for our body and health ! I agree with everything what I have read hear. If you are a member on this website You have to support a healthy lifestyle :) If so, remember to devote an hour of your day for YOGA, I am sure that You will be satisfied :) -
This is a big issue for me, I battle with my bad posture everyday and my mom always get mad so I'm definitely going to follow your advice.
I'm trying to be better in a lot of thins this year. Organization, health, exercise but mostly and most important, being the better version of myself, starting with confidence and being more proactive. -
Ugh I have the WORSE posture, I was just at my physical therapist office and started the shoulder blades move, it totally worked but I am sore, which is good because it worked!! :) http://wearandpaperback.wordpress.com/ -
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@deek labelle: I, too, am short. I have found that by sitting at the edge of the seat allows me to maintain my posture and have my feet touch the floor, even when I was working in and office where, like you, the chair has to be high enough to reach the desk. Also maybe ask your employer if they have a stool for you to put your feet on if sitting on the edge isn't an option for you. But, even sitting cross-legged, you can still maintain proper posture. It's all about a straight back. -
Sitting down and having your palms facing upwards will also improve posture and it's a good way to improve your posture while you aren't doing a whole lot, like watching tv for example.
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What if your feet don't touch the floor? I have poor posture cause I'm short and my desk chair has to be high enough to reach the desk, but it means my feet are off the floor. I tend to sit cross legged on my desk chair! -
I, too, was a dancer for seven years of my life and had pretty much perfect posture until my 20s. Once, my doctor jokingly told me my back was "too straight." Years of English horseback riding also helped with this after I quit dance.
However - posture is not so easy for all of us. When I was 20, I was involved in a horse riding accident that landed me directly on my spine. No serious injuries (like a broken back or anything...), but it did weaken the muscles around my back, and then my back became misaligned. Through all of this I now struggle with a pinched nerve, as well. Good posture is not only hard to achieve, it is painful. -
This is such a great post! I always have had trouble with my posture & am trying so hard to break my bad habits! Thanks for the post.
Sydney
http://nowastedbreath.blogspot.com/ -
Great post, I have terrible posture and it's something I am trying to work on so I'll be taking these tips to heart. I just bought an exercise ball last week, now I just need to inflate it :)
http://fairestsfavorites.blogspot.com/
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