Back Off

I don’t know about you, but I’m a leaner. I lean on the counter ...  on my car ...  on my husband ...  on my desk ...  on my desk chair. So, guess what? All that leaning has allowed my belly to get bigger and bigger because I’m not using my abs properly. Granted, I’m not fat by normal standards, but I feel I’m carrying about 20 pounds more than I should. Posture is something we all take for granted. I also slouch, do you? I ask you this and before you straighten up at this mere suggestion, look at yourself. Are you slouching with your belly resting on your lap, you shoulders drooping and your back rounded? Or are you sitting up tall, back straight, tummy tucked in, feet planted squarely on the floor? I didn’t think so. I am now, but I wasn’t. So let’s be honest here and challenge each other. Starting right now, I will demand an improved posture of myself ... and of you.

First, while sitting up straight at your computer, read some interesting information I found on Everyday Health. While you at it ... take a deep cleansing breath and sit up ... I also found a website that outlined how bad posture affects heart health and I saddened to realize it was describing me! Both articles made it perfectly clear to me that I had some improving to do! How about you?    

Need some other ways to “make it work”? I did so I kept pushing myself to find ways to make good posture work for me. I wonder if it would help to put full length mirrors wherever I am ... in my bathroom just may not be enough. When I walk past a store window and glance my reflection’s way, I am amazed at that little old mannish looking person gazing at me! Geez, when did I turn into such a slouch?? So here’s the deal ... it’s time I made my body work for me instead of the other way around. What do I mean ... well, this morning, I dropped the soap in the shower. When I bent to retrieve it I placed my palm on my thigh to ‘give myself a boost’ to a vertical position. Huh? Are you kidding me? When did my back and abs become so weak I need assistance to return to an erect position? Enough! I pulled out my Wii Fit, weighed in and realized I hadn’t really changed much. My WiiFit age was acceptable but that’s because I’m somewhat coordinated and could “beat” the system with my talents. So, I pushed myself a bit. All the way to twenty minutes of pretty intense stuff, sucking in my abs all the way and breathing correctly! Whew! So that’s what a workout feels like! To cool down, I did some balance games that forced me to twist and turn, reach and stretch. So as I reviewed my workout I realized I likely didn’t really stand as tall as I should have or reached just beyond the comfortable position or twisted just past the “ohhhhh” position - tomorrow is another day and I will step outside my body and view myself from another point of view. I can do it, can you?