Well I have been told that my posture is quite bad. I frequently slouch and not even notice that I am. This is a real problem because the tension that I have from slouching is causing some of my headaches. I need to know if slouching will have a later affect in my life and if so what would it be? Also what types of excersises can I do to help relieve the tension in my shoulders? Lastly, any tips to help me stand straight? Thanks! I really appreciate this

Hello, janie_eva...long time no see, for me, at least!

Just WHOM is telling you you have bad posture? That's #1 to think about.

But if you do slouch, and it causes headaches(!) that's bad! In another thread, I believe you were saying you had a concentration problem, too, as in writer's block?

What would be really good for your upper back and neck and circulation and everything else, would be daily (not lengthy) workouts with light weights, maybe 2 or 5 lb. ones.

I haven't been doing mine (I used 5 lb-ers) since I got so hooked on this darned FT business! But I did, every day, for years and years. When you're done, and it need only take 20 minutes or so...EVERYTHING feels better. Even your mind! And it strengthens your muscles, too. Doesn't take long before you at least feel the beneficial effects. The mental ones are almost immediate! The muscle tone takes a bit longer! But it works!

Swimming would be fantastic, too, to loosen up those shoulders. And, make a conscious effort to straighten up! Just whenever you think of it...roll those shoulders and pull them back!

Hope that's the kind of thing you were looking for! But, hey...what do I know!????

I agree there Lefois.Swimming is a great way.
However, Janie, do you know why you slouch? Are you tall and you feel standing up straight will draw attention to unwanted height? Are you slouching to hide your bust size?(These are rhetorical qs of course!). Sometimes slouching is caused by such examples of selfconsciousness. If so, be reassured , there are lots of people who would like to be like you. So be proud of what you are.

Well actually I'm really short for my age...only like 5"1. I do slouch I believe because of laziness which is a really bad habit, but also since I'm a bit self-concious. However, I don't really believe the self-concious part is the problem. The laziness is...I just can't stand up straight for a long period of time while sitting because my upper back starts to hurt for some strange reason

You have to strengthen them muscles, girl! That's all! Any repetitive exercise will work! Can't do much about the self-conscious part, though! YOU have to work on that! Ask yourself why you are self-conscious! ...and then, if it makes a lot of sense! You seem like a fine young woman, Janie, and as you get older, you'll find we all come in varying shapes and sizes and looks and forms...and some of the nicest people, or finest relationships, just don't make any sense at all! We're all unique! But if something hurts, like the headaches, and you know why...you are compelled to do something! Or else you end up a complaining old B, like ME!

Hi Janie! I used to have the same problem! Really bad headaches just because I didn't sit upright.

I started trying to sit upright for 5 minutes every day, and then increasing the number of minutes to let the muscles get used to it. It really worked.

I also saw a physiotherapist and she taught me an exercise that really works too. I'll try to explain. Sit upright and push your chin backwards and slightly downwards with one hand while not moving the rest of your upper body. This should stretch your neck muscles and really stops headaches from showing up.

Good luck!

HI Janie,
You know this is a constant problem with myself also. And believe it or not, during my childhood and most of my young adult life. I was a professional Roller Skater in dance and frestyle skating. So knowing the correct posture position was a must. However in my case I seem as if I never learned it at all. Granted I do catch myself slouching very often and try to correct it, I really think that this is my way to let my body rest??? Psychological, I truly believe!!! I will agree with lefois and Lo and Ren though, that Swimming is just about the best exercise you can get for your time and it is easier on your body then most other exercising. Especially if you don't exercise already. Swimming is my savior!!!! From one slouch to another....Good Luck
PS A good Chiropractor could do wonders also if that is something you would try.

I am going to move this to Useful Tips and Tricks - it might be better suited there as this forum is for trivia questions

I am sort of cringing as I read this, because I started lifting weights to improve my posture. Now I have two crunched discs in my neck and various other maladies as a result.Granted, I was lifting a bar bell and heavier weights than two to five pounds.

Light weights (dumbbells) is a very good idea, but before you start anything, check with your doctor first, that's all I'm saying.

Janey - I used to slouch too and mine was from self conciousness about my chest. My mum was always telling me to stand up straight!! Then one day I was on my work, dropped something, bent over to get it and gave myself a proplapsed disc. I am not for a minute telling you to do this, but what happened was that for 3 weeks my back was stuck in a position where I was constantly hunched over, then I started physiotherapy and was given som exercises to do, one of which has it's origins in yoga.

Basically you lie on the floor face down (usually on a towel) with your arms flat on the floor, but bent at the elbow so your hands are by your ears. Then, keeping your hips pressed to the floor and keeping your shoulders back, push yourself up on your hands. It's almost like doing a push up, but not quite. This exercise strengthens your back, shoulders and arms. Push yourself up as far as you can - don't strain yourself - and hold as long as you can. It does work.

Apparently it is down to muscle memory too. My boyfreind was in the army for 22 years and everyone can tell he was as he stands and walks so beautifully. He was told to stand up straight all the time.

At the moment I'm doing an exercise to control stomach muscles. What you do is take red dots and place them in places where you are - like on your PC, on the fridge, at the sink (basin), in the shower. When I see a red dot I have to pull my stomach muscles in (stomach muscles act as a girdle for lower back), what I'm saying is that you could do the same thing and whenever you see a red dot sit or stand up straight and try to push your shoulders back. My physio told me that eventually I will do it automatically.

amberg

What a great idea - the red dot. Janie, I have been reading these posts with interest, as I have terrible posture and am really unfit - I have seen physiotherapists/chiropractors/masseurs as I get really painful shoulders (all my stress settles there).

I have a few exercises, but they would be too difficult to explain - I would be worried that you might get them wrong and then damage your spine - sorry!!!

I am definately going to try the red dot and the exercise you suggested amberg.