Posture Problem

G

gengidashiell

New member
Hi, I am a 17 year old skinny male who is 6 foot 4.

Recently I have realised that I have bad posture (probably due to slouching when I was younger to try and appear shorter). Whilst it isn't too bad, I have been taking some steps to correct it - doing exercises that help forward head posture and rounded shoulder etc which seem to be working since .

Above my bum my back curves inwards and then outwards at the top where my shoulder blades are.
Whilst my neck and shoulders are in the correct position now, my back is still curved (I know that this is natural, but my back curves out more than most).

I have looked in a lot of places but cannot find any exercises specifically for the curve in my back and wondered if anybody knew any that I could do so that my back become straighter.

Thanks,
Tom
 
Hi Tom

I'm very excited that you want to do this! Good for you!! :cool:

I know all about slouching to seem shorter. I did it, too :rolleyes: until I realized that others accept us exactly like we accept ourselves. :D

First, be proud of your height and stature! Not proud like you are better than others, but proud as in accepting this is YOU! That will help you straighten right up. Practice standing at attention, pushing your chest up and build up your upper body. It will naturally straighten the lower part of your back.

Read up on building up your "Core strength". It is the trunk muscles that hold the body straight. You can do this while you sit at a restaurant, drive, or are walking: pull your abdomen in as little as 1/2 inch, then up 1/2 inch. Hold it and sit, walk, drive etc. normally. Learn to just make this a habit. You can't slouch while doing it and it naturally builds the inner core strength.

I also recommend good long muscle stretches, to get more limber and let the shrunken muscles, ligaments and tendons, etc. relax back into normal alignment. Do the stretches before you work out, every time! Be gentle with stretches. They should not tear tissue down or cause sharp or fiery pain.

Think of looking a tall pretty lady in the face. There are gorgeous tall girls that are just dying to be able to be all that they are, wear high heels, etc. and not have to bow down to the egos of short guys (no offense short guys, but you know it's true that most guys choose shorter girls). I was 5' 11" by the time I was 15, so I speak from experience.

I also heard that it helps to think of a string attached from the middle top of the head, lifting it up. I can see you standing straight already.
 
I am 50 years old and trying to fix what all those years of bad posture have done! It will take a while of consistent daily exercise and dedication to build the muscles you need to hold your back straight. It's not going to happen over night!
 
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