My posture is dreadful, I look like I'm stopping all the time.

[BenWillbondsPants]

Poss not the right board but I hope you don't mind
I keep catching sight of myself in shops etc and my posture is becoming really poor. When I notice, I straighten up but it's uncomfortable and I don't keep it up for long before being all slouchy again. DH reckons I've got too many knots in my back and shoulders and a few decent professional massages would help but I'm wondering if anyone here has sorted out their own slouchiness?!

*stooping - not stopping.

Mine is much better when I’m excercising regularly- running/weights/yoga. It’s the only thing that works for me.

I used to have good posture, then for several years I turned in on myself, slouching, stooping. I realised it coincided with how I felt about myself at the time and I made an effort. Now when walking I'm pretty uptight. At first it felt "look at me!", again my confidence issues were undermining me. I persevered. Walking seems standing is ok for me now but I do still skimp a bit when sitting. I'm forever bouncing upright, slowly sinking down, bouncing back up again.

So I would say give it your attention. But I also wondered when I read your post whether you were developing any spine difficulties. I wondered whether something more than conscious effort was needed, like yoga.

Do you go to the gym? You can improve your posture with certain exercises generally row type movements with weights.

Definitely get some deep tissue massage as your partner suggests and maybe see an osteopath, then start some pilates or similar.

I used to do yoga daily and I had decent posture, I stopped a couple of years ago and I’m a major sloucher again. Must get back into the yoga...

In my experience, it’s a core issue - I just sort of cold in the middle and everything else follows suit.

*fold, not cold!

It could be connected with how I'm feeling at the moment I guess. I'm going through chemo at the moment for breast cancer and life isn't 'normal' just now. I'm not depressed, I just don't feel good about myself, my appearance at the moment etc. Do you think that could make a difference? I have been thinking about yoga or pilates too. I'm not sure what the difference between the two is.

It’s core muscles. For mine Pilates is better than yoga. I really really wish I could make myself do 20 minutes in the morning.

@BenWillbondsPants Have you read Presence by Amy Cuddy? It's all about how your posture, etc affects how you live your life. By making a few changes you can dramatically change how you feel and how others perceive you. I have just finished reading it, it was brilliant!

One word for you: Pilates

Go to the gym and do pull ups or pull downs

No I haven't @GirlRaisedInTheSouth but it sounds like a good read for me.

I'm not really up for the gym just now, maybe when I'm feeling more human again.

Any possibility you are at risk of osteoporosis? Or scoliosis. Might be worth asking your GP.

I'm not sure, maybe a trip to the GP worthwhile.

Pilates, definitely. Not now, when you’re going through treatment, but afterwards when your body isn’t feeling quite so shit.

His yoga type thing which might help

Yoga is 'nice' and can positively affect your mood. Pilates is as well, but it's also harder work and is about 'just' the physical side in my experience.

You're going through a lot right now. Do what makes you feel good and worry about the rest later.

Watching for advice. Has anyone really improved posture in their 40s? Most of the time I have a million things to think about other than standing straight. I really cringe to see myself in unposed photos. A lifetime of low confidence, large bust/narrow shoulders, exercise aversion and inherited tendency to hunch seems to be insurmountable. I do a weekly pilates class but I think I'd need personal daily sessions to show any difference.

My posture isn’t great, although it has improved a lot since I started doing yoga. It’s definitely worth working on it- visually, I lose a good half stone when I pull my shoulders back and my belly in. It’s really hard, though. Even after two years (on and off, to be fair) of yoga I still have to make a conscious effort.

Pilates. You won't look back.

I would say Yoga for now, if you go to a gentle class it’s lovely, very good for your head as well as body! When you’re feeling a bit more like yourself, Pilates is great. I find it quite a bit harder because it’s all about your core, so you need to be up for getting a bit sweaty! good luck to you OP

Thanks everyone, I'm thinking that maybe yoga may be a good start then add on a Pilates class when I'm a bit stronger.