To ask how to improve my posture?

[Poorposture]

My posture is terrible. I always hunch over and always have. Whenever I'm aware of it when walking I straighten my back, but sooner or later I subconsciously go back to slouching. It's obviously more comfortable because I'm so used to it. I did use a backpack for years which may have worsened it but for the last few years I have just been using a shoulder bag.

Does anyone have any tips? Should I get one of those posture corrector things, and if so, does anyone have recommendations on which one/how effective it is?

Pilates.

alexander technique is brilliant - it is very slow and gradual though
About 20 years ago I did a two week crash course in Greece, it was brilliant. My posture isn't amazing 100% of the time , but I practice AT more if I get aches and pains.

Have a look into Anterior Pelvic Tilt. It might be that the way you're straightening is unsustainable, and you could do it differently in a way that feels more right, and you could stick to more.

Strengthen your core.

Are you hypermobile? Pilates will help.

Going to a yoga class helped me a lot. I also bought one of those harness things and wore it while sitting at the computer but it was totally useless.

A physio will sort you out, ideally one that uses rehab Pilates (eg Six Physio who have clinics around London).
But you do have to do the exercises!
Has sorted my chronic pain good and proper

Pilates & weights.

Get stronger.

Yoga, Yoga,Yoga!!! Definitely improved mine. I think I read somewhere that it can add inches to your height.
I would say it takes time though, don't expect results overnight but it WILL me a difference. You will notice more flexibility within a few weeks.

Pilates. Ballroom dancing.

Sorry you weren't talking about pain but posture 🤦‍♀️
But, to clarify, the physio rehab Pilates fixed my crap posture (which sorted my pain).

Shoulder bags are evil. You need to spread the load evenly. After a long hunt I found a proper handbag that has 2 straps and goes on like a rucksack but looks like a handbag.

If you wear heels this can also be a cause of issues...

It will take pounds off you if you stand tall and drop your shoulder blades down. Pilates will really help. A shoulder bag will be making it worse, ruck sack better to spread the weight more evenly.

Thank you so much for starting this thread OP. My posture is terrible. I have quite big boobs which turned up when I was only about 10. I think I started slouching because I felt so self conscious. Nearly thirty years later I look appalling. I find that I can only stand or sit up straight for a minute or so because it hurts so much. It sounds like Pilates or yoga might be what I need.

Thanks so much for the to the tips anyone. In the meantime while doing Pilates and yoga, is there anything that will give quicker results? @Kendrickspenguin hope we can both fix our posture soon!

I was just about to post this!!! I caught sight of myself on footage being played back on a security camera yesterday and was horrified...I looked like a swamp monster dragging myself along

Like the OP I'm also wondering if there are easier options than yoga and pilates which would give results sooner?

Look in the mirror and stand tall, weight spread across length of feet, soft knees, tuck pelvis under slightly, chest open, chin pulled slightly back as if on a shelf rather than poking out. Practice several times a day till it is a habit. Be a bit more aware and that will be a great start.

I was given a good tip to always correct your posture every time you walk through a doorway.
I guess the more you do it, the easier it gets.

Physiotherapy if you want proper help to fix your posture. I can post pictures of the exercises my physio gave me for my posture issues but the descriptions of how to do them are in Finnish so might not be that informative!
I hunch over too, causing the muscles around my shoulders and and chest to get very tight, if its similar for you then things like lying on a foam roller or rolled up towel (I used a rolled up car play mat, wrapped in a rolled up towel as I find foam rollers too hard but a towel alone is too soft) so its going straight under your spine and then putting your hands to your temples like if you were doing a sit up, and pressing your elbows down to bring your shoulders down.

I had a physio who said to get someone to put a strip of micropore tape across your shoulders, another across your waist and a strip down your spine. Then if you slouch you will instantly feel the slight tug on the tape. It worked really well for me and sorted out the posture issues that were giving me back ache.

Ballet barre exercises, and pilates. Darcey Bussell brought out a pilates dvd - that might help.

Maybe work on your core strength rather than wearing a posture corrector, otherwise you'll just slump the instant you take it off.

You need to find your lats, and learn how to use them.

Learn to play the piano. You can't slouch at the piano

Anyone got suggestions of good Pilates channels on YouTube?

I though this all was great: 30 day posture makeover. Totally sorted my forward head position. Think some of it is on YouTube: apps.apple.com/gb/app/the-30-day-posture-makeover/id1170764419

@2022isanewyear that would work for you too. Pretty quick results but it's something you also have to learn to keep doing

Pilates