The Posture of Obesity
3 Feb
I am pleased to hear that Michelle Obama is taking on childhood obesity as an initiative. I was a heavy kid. As an adult, this is an ongoing challenge.
Recently, I learned (in my dance class) that carrying weight alters body posture in a way that shuts down my desire to be active. It also de-shapes the hip and backside area – an effect I do not need. The extra weight, especially in my belly, has me leaning forward.
Ideal alignment is about balancing through the bones. In a well-aligned body, weight is transferred from top to bottom through the center of the joints. (It’s a gravity thing.) This engages posture muscles such as the hamstrings (back of leg). I feel ready for action, and movement is delicious.
But by leaning forward, I am no longer balancing my weight through the bones. Instead I arch my back (which tightens the muscles) and my hips tighten up. I get stuck at the pelvis, but its not fun. No, this is movement stoppage! Sadly, I lose track of the feeling of my body, and I begin to identify with being overweight.
I found that key is to gently lean back. At first it feels weird because habit has me used to the forward position. But the idea is to get to a place where the pelvis drops down easily, releasing unnecessary muscle tension as it does. I practice this every day now, and it’s freeing.
Anne Asher! How are you? I was forwarded the article on how to get up from bed with back pain via an uncle of mine. He sent the article to my dad and my dad forwarded it to me. What a pleasant surprise! That is me in those pictures, wow!! (*grin) Where are you these days? How are things going for you? We are doing just wonderful. The children keep us very busy, but we are settled in our home and loving life!
Regarding your blog, it was so interesting to read. I was wondering your thoughts and experiences on the “mommy syndrome”. Do you have any suggestions? Mommy syndrome (which I have heard is very common) is the continual leaning forward or hunching over while doing daily activities Mom’s usually tackle each and every day…laundry, cooking, cleaning, nursing, picking up children, pregnancy, etc… I struggle with neck issues which in turn land me in the chiropractors office regularily. Their has to be some good exercises out there to stenghten the core that aren’t going to add stress to the already sensitive neck. Any thoughts? Can’t wait to hear from you!
More people are becoming obese these days because of too much junk food and too much sugar in snacks and fast foods.