Look Better, Feel Better, Move Better

Which of these ladies would you rather look like (or date, if you are a gentleman reading this article)? I know, you get it. It’s the same girl. But if you had seen the pictures separately a month apart, you’d most likely have a different answer.

Comics know you never lead with the punchline. Fighters don’t throw their knockout punch in the first exchange.

But I’m going with the fix right off the top. I’ll give you the “what” first, and then challenge you to stick around for the why afterward. Because knowing and really appreciating the “why” is the one thing that will make the “what” (the fix) stick.

So here we go:

You will look and feel stronger, more confident, healthier and more attractive if you simply do the three simple steps shown in this one minute video.

It’s so easy! You can do it while you’re standing. You can do it sitting and you can do it walking. Dropping your shoulder blades, pulling in your chin and raising your crown - that’s it! And it doesn’t hurt to engage your core by firming your abdomen like bracing as someone pats you on the belly unexpectedly. Once you’re in that corrected position, take a nice deep breath. Notice anything? You got more air into your body in this position. That makes everything you ask it to do easier and more satisfying.

And you can do it anywhere at any time, and should. But you probably won’t. Unless you remember this trick – Notice other people’s posture. Then correct your own. Here’s how, from head to toe.

It’simple, right? And what a difference it makes in how you look and how you present to those around you.

Now is this all there is to looking and feeling your best? Of course not! But if you already exercise regularly with a safe, effective program, and you already eat clean and effectively manage your body composition, this is probably the most important element left in the equation to improve. The extra bonus is that you’ll be much less prone to back and neck pain as a result. Doesn’t that sound like a good deal?

So check out the video and practice the postural corrections frequently throughout the day.

If you want to improve your posture more comprehensively and look and feel downright fantastic, Here are a few other points that can be addressed effectively with a good strength, core and flexibility program:

· Balancing out relative strength and flexibility of pushing (chest, triceps and the front shoulder) vs. pulling muscles (upper back, rear shoulders and biceps)

· Opening and balancing range of motion for frequently tight pelvic girdle muscles and tendons

· Lengthening and increasing the elasticity of very commonly short, rigid hamstrings muscles

There will be a four-week class to remedy all these problems at our studio beginning Tuesday, March 1. Here are the details.

Feel that long, straight spine and take that nice deep breath. Ah, that’s better.

Dan Taylor, ACE, NASM-CPT, is owner and head trainer at Pleasanton-based Tri Valley Trainer. They offer personal training and small group fitness solutions and an innovative, medically endorsed web-based group healthy eating coaching program.