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Need help with posture

Deby Posts: 333 Joined: 2002/08/05	2003/06/03, 12:04 PM I used to have a perfect posture but now I sit at a desk all day answering the phone (I am a Software Analyst) so I lean forward to my computer and my shoulders have become rounded and my head is forward. My posture has gotten "better" with lifting weights but is there anything else I could do on a daily basis that would help my posture? -------------- Gramma
Lynhira Posts: 26 Joined: 2003/03/27	2003/06/03, 12:08 PM I know this sounds strange but just practicing standing correctly with your back against the wall and becoming very aware of the position of your body will help you tremendously. Posture is trained positioning so you have to counteract your job by practicing even while on the job to sit straight and you can get the best postion in your head by putting your back and shoulders against a straight wall.
fsimmons Posts: 77 Joined: 2003/03/24	2003/06/03, 01:18 PM also if you sit on the edge of your seat with your feet under your chair, your body is almost forced to sit in a more correct and upright posture. if you've ever seen one of those funny looking posture chair contraptions, it's kinda like sitting in that position. lynhira's idea is good also b/c that way you will get used to how it's supposed to feel
dahayz Posts: 794 Joined: 2002/05/08	2003/06/03, 01:34 PM Weak posture is often due to a lot of factors. Usually a weakness in the abs, traps and rear shoulder muscles. And a lot of people aren't aware of these, but when you sit, you should be sitting on your "sits" bones. Trust me, you'll know when you are on them, because it actually feels very weird at first. People like to sit with an arch in there lower back and that is a no-no.
Deby Posts: 333 Joined: 2002/08/05	2003/06/03, 03:13 PM I will admit when I sit I find that I sit on my left leg, when I realize I am doing that I put my feet on the floor! When I walk I always try to stand up straight with my head up but I still do not have my muscles "holding" me really upright. When I was little my mother ALWAYS said "stand up straight, shoulders back, stomach in" and I did that in the past. But with this job, I get involved in a problem and find myself leaning forward and end up with sore shoulders and neck. My trainer has me doing weights for this and several other exercises for my "core" but I would like something I could do at home or at work everyday. -------------- Gramma
t-babe Posts: 441 Joined: 2003/02/20	2003/06/03, 03:36 PM Try sitting with your feet flat on the floor and don't use the back rest. It makes your back and your abs work to keep your posture right.
Deby Posts: 333 Joined: 2002/08/05	2003/06/03, 03:52 PM I will try that. There are two things that have really "gotten to me" 1. is my posture and 2. is my stomach! I always had great posture and a FLAT stomach and now both are really messed up. I told James (my trainer) the other night the same thing, he has me do a lot of my exercises that I would be sitting back for he has me keep my back straight and away from the back to develop my core strength. -------------- Gramma
Peterkelly Posts: 1 Joined: 2004/07/06	2004/07/06, 02:13 PM What if all my life I have been standing with my tummy pushed forward?. I am 20 and i am shaped like a banana. I have a nice midsection, but because of how my posture is, it seems as if I have a ig belly.
the_cupcake Posts: 348 Joined: 2004/06/16	2004/07/07, 08:35 AM okay, I think you need an ergonomic chair that's really comfortable since you're going to be spending a lot of time in front of the computer. Move things around to suit you, like the screen just far enough from you that you won't be tempted to slump forward to look at something. Same with your keyboards, have it within comfortable reach that you don't even need to move your shoulder far out of reach. Same goes for everything. That's one of the most basic solutions. Second advice would probably do more exercises for the back, core exercises are right. Also, be aware, walk and sit "tall" with your spine straightened out, and don't slouch. As your back grows stronger and as you catch onto the habit of walking/sitting tall, then you won't even notice it. I love how dancers move..they have the most beautiful posture when they move. I always envision myself being a dancer. It helps :) -------------- The best victories are won not by adversity and brute force. Learn the enemy and overcome it. -cupcake-
Woodie Posts: 148 Joined: 2004/04/28	2004/07/07, 10:18 AM Hvae you thought about Glasses. You said that you lean forward to your computer screen. I found myself doing the same thing and got some reading glasses. now I can see the mistakes I type better. -------------- I will get to it as soon as I am done lifting.
FatsoLogic Posts: 28 Joined: 2002/07/14	2004/07/07, 11:42 AM Another thing that helps is to take a two-minute break every one hour or so to do some neck stretching and strengthening exercises. Believe me, it doesn't take longer than that. I used to have the same problem and I tried this, and it worked. Also, while sitting in the chair itself, you can stretch the way you would stretch when you just get up in the morning and are still in bed. This loosens up all the neck and upper back muscles and helps tremendously. While at home, you can take a broomstick or any long bar, keep it on your shoulders behind you neck, with your arms on the bar on both sides (I'm not sure if I'm describing this adequately) and practice walking.
jonathanweaver Posts: 576 Joined: 2004/06/14	2004/07/07, 11:52 AM ============ Quoting from svc: While at home, you can take a broomstick or any long bar, keep it on your shoulders behind you neck, with your arms on the bar on both sides (I'm not sure if I'm describing this adequately) and practice walking. ============= Kind of like "carry a cross", right? Imagine the pictures you've seen of Jesus carrying the cross. That's the basic position of this stretch/exercise. -------------- I will never grow up, just old. Jonathan
FatsoLogic Posts: 28 Joined: 2002/07/14	2004/07/07, 02:07 PM You're bang on, Jonathan