Look Thinner Instantly
Something I’ve noticed since taking Bar Method classes is that I have horrible posture and weak abs.
The other day, I was standing in my usual position (hips jutting forward and belly hanging out) when the Husband commented on my lordosis (unusual curvature of the spine). The problem is I DON’T have lordosis. I slouch and stick my hips out. Weird right?
Here’s my lazy posture look:
Below is a photo of me with corrected posture that eliminates my bizarre hip tilt.
Here are the photos side by side:
Tip of the day: If you want to look thinner instantly improve your posture!
My stomach is probably my biggest insecurity (because of my love of pizza and wine) however, since realizing my posture is terrible, I’ve been feeling less conscious about it.
***************************************
Something to read: Raising the Bar: The Workout that Changed My Life
I do the same exact thing! It’s almost like I over-arch my back. Weird. I’ll take more note of it too, to appear thinner AND taller
My hubs is always telling me I do this. What a dramatic change, although the first really isn’t that bad. You are beautiful!
Ha, we’re on the same page today. I wrote about posture too. I do think standing up straight is slimming, but I really do it to prevent kinks in my back.
Great tip! When I need to look extra svelte I just pop on Spanx. Your tip seems infinitely more comfortable.
One of the best methods to permanently improve your posture is to practice Pilates but if you don’t have time for that, a quick fix is to tighten your core and draw your shoulders back, imagining a string pulling you up out of the top of your head. A good posture changes EVERYTHING!
Posture is so important but I never noticed what a difference it could make in your appearance. When I used to nanny, the mother would punch me between the shoulder blades so I would stand up straight. Harsh but it really worked!
wow posture could really change how we look…i better work on mine…thanks for sharing!
I am very conscious of sitting & standing up straight not only to protect my back but it is a great core workout indirectly too!
And YES, makes you look taller & slimmer!!! I really work my core. I do not want any issues especially as I age!
I have a weird hip tilt too! I actually think most women do. The more you strengthen your abs, the more natural correct posture becomes. When I started doing mat pilates, that was the biggest improvement I noticed and it was pretty immediate.
I feel the same way. When I see pictures of myself with a bad posture, I cringe! It does nothing to my figure. It’s definitely something to work on.
Wow, thats a huge difference. Thanks for the tip (as always), I feel like I am always saying that lol
i have horrible posture and i can not even do certain exercises it is so bad. i try and try but it feels like a lost cause. i am curious about the bar method
love this! I have scoliosis so i struggle with posture and have to be aware of it to stand straight!
I, too, have a bit of a tummy problem. Even when I’m in great shape, there’s still always a little bit there (hence my love for maxi dresses and anything that’s not form fitting in that area).
I love this post… you’re so right… it not only helps the tummy, but the chest area, as well! Another reason to stand up straight.
I think you are absolutely right. My stomach is the part of my body that I am most insecure with, but when I sit up straight and pull my shoulders back, it looks fine! I need to focus on good posture more often, especially when I am sitting and blogging. Nick took a picture of me blogging the other day, and I didn’t know. I was completely slouched. It was pathetic.
I always catch myself slouching! You look fab in both pics, but good posture does make a difference. I keep trying to fix that.
Another great illustration! I think my posture is best at the gym…for some reason I move with purpose there but as soon as I step out it goes down hill from there!
what an awesome post! Definitely going to take these tips into consideration! Just found your blog and absolutely love it! You have a new follower!
xo
Thank you!
Thanks for the reminder, I struggle with posture too! When I was a kid I was heavy into gymnastics and horseback riding and I had amazing posture….until I started to slump to fit in. What a mistake!
Once upon a time many years ago now I worked as a tech assistant for a chiropractor and we always tried to educate the importance of posture…your posture is the window to your spine we use to say, but this photo shows a different side of posture awareness. I have such horrid sitting posture, think I will work on that.
I am always trying to remind myself to stand up straight and to get my husband to also. I hate being slouchy, but it is easier isnt it?
i have TERRIBLE posture and I do look way pudgier when i slouch… note to self: STOP SLOUCHING! LOL
youre adorable!
I just sat up a little straighter.
And very true that good posture can make such a difference. In both how you look and how you feel.
I love it! I did a post on posture a few weeks ago and a friend recommend the Bar Method for that!!
http://fitoriblog.com/health/health-poor-posture/
I wish we had somewhere we could take a Bar Method class where I live!
It’s surprising the difference posture makes isn’t it. Since practising yoga I’ve been much more conscious of my posture (and how rubbish it is). How is it possible that i can hold myself in such a way that both my bum and my stomach stick out! It’s an art form, I tell you. x
I do the same thing– always slouching and jutting my hips out for some reason. I’ve been doing the Physique 57 method, and I think it’s helping my posture, too!
My husband always jokes with me about my posture when I get lazy now! You can totally see a difference!
I think I do the same thing too, I over arch my back when I’m standing around
I do the same thing! What are you doing to make yourself correct it?
I’m trying to keep my abs tight and hips slightly, slightly tucked under (to keep from sticking them out).
I hunch my shoulders forward. Brynn is ALWAYS trying to correct this, that’s part of the reason she is always on top of me to squeeze my shoulder blades together. If I make it an unconscious habit, I will always stand up straighter! Working on it…
Awesome post, Jess! I found out I had scoliosis in my lower spine when I was in middle school, but the doctor said that the intense ballet training I was doing was the best remedy to keep my back muscles strong and supportive. Now I use yoga to that effect.
Great posture also makes you look more confident in public as well! Lots of beautiful girls cheat themselves by slouching!