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ORIGINAL: RiotGirl

Hey all.  i tend to be a sloucher.  Its not overly bad, but as a friend commented i've "rounded shoulders"  though i dunno really what that means.  i think part of the problem is i've neck, shoulder, and back problems.  Ripped a muscle in my neck carrying a 3 seater hide a bed couch.  (i'm sorta little.. 5 feet, 107 lbs), back problems from when i was a kid - carrying around a 60 lb dog, as well as re arranging the furniture in my room abit.  Thing i really messed it up when i stood on my bed, reached up to the top of my dresser and picked up my tv (ya know those old tv with nobs, big ol box thing) and well, my shoulders ae just tight full of ropes.  Back pain is from a couple of years of not being able to use my back with out tons of pain.  (yes walking for long periods of time made me noticably ill - standing for any amount of time was strenous) So the muscles are weakish.  Though LOL i can pretty much pick up anything with in reason, of course.  Like the bed is reasonable.. a car isnt.  Dont think i can do 200 lbs.. but can do mebbe 135.  Dunno how much a friend of mine weighs.  LOL  Round there.

Trying to put my shoulders back to were normal shoulders are takes mucho effort, as well as uncomfortable and extremly tight.  i feel it in my neck, back and of course shoulders.  (bout to the mid of my back)  Top Center seems to take the most stress.

i HATE slouching.  Arg!  i know i was once told you can break a habit in 6 weeks.  Seeing as i hate slouching and would really really wish i didnt, i was wondering if anyone had any suggestions?  Other then of course holding them back as much as possible.  Which i'm trying but it makes doing things especially hard.  LOL anything that requires shoulder movement.  i've noticed that doing things has them rolling back into their normal position and i've got to remind myself to throw them back again.

So...... any suggestions on how to make it abit easier?  How to train myself better?  (and no a posture collar doesnt really do much)  Any suggestions at all?

thx

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ORIGINAL: SirCumsSlut
.....another good one is to stand with legs about 6 to 8 inches apart and bend at the waist stretching out the lower back as well as strengthening it....

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Try yoga and pilates.

And focus- whenever you are out walking, work your back muscles. Act as though there were a string going straight up your body up to the sky and dangling you, holding you straight up.

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ORIGINAL: RiotGirl
Thanks for the suggestion.. but i dun what to make of it.  Yoga?  Well i know what it is.. but well i dont like know how to do it?  Nor do i know what pilates are.  Well maybe i do.. its a ballet move right?  Want to explain?

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The whole string thing.......  Do you just mean to try and hold myself up right as straight as possible?

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Yoga and pilates are names for a specific type of exercise/movements. Pilates is something of a combination of yoga and ballet. Both work with focusing on your body- how it moves, and how it's placed, adding flexibility and balance. You can get basic dvds at any bookstore these days.

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Generally yes, but the string concept is to help envision how to position yourself and not to make it seem like such an all over body workout.  Once you get your body in the habit, it will go on its own.

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ORIGINAL: RiotGirl
So you wanna save me the trouble of going out and buying something and explaining specifically which ones you mean?