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How can I remember to hold my shoulders back?

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Supernana1 Fri 22-Aug-25 18:48:18

I've always had rounded shoulders and a hunchy back. I remember in my teens and twenties my mother constantly saying 'Stand up straight' or 'Head up, chest out', even though to be honest she also had a habit of hunching her shoulders.

Now at 78 I see myself in a shop window and think 'Oh lord, I'm all hunched over again'. I look so much better when my shoulders are back, but I can't remember to keep them there.

Many years ago, a physio stuck a giant X of sticky tape on my back to try to keep my shoulders back, but all that did was stick to my clothes.

Is there any way of forcing myself to remember to keep my shoulders back?

I don't think there is. It's the habit of a lifetime.

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bluebird243 Sun 24-Aug-25 11:25:25

At school we were taught: bottom in, tummy in, chest out, shoulders back, chin up, look ahead. It stuck with me [I'm 76] I do walk a fair bit and my posture is good.

Try wearing a normal size rucksack on your back filled with weighty things [bags of oatmeal, sugar, flour, food tins, water bottles for eg. ...not altogether!]. That should pull your shoulders back a bit!

I carry a rucksack when out for a proper walk as do many people our age that I know.

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4allweknow Sun 24-Aug-25 15:24:44

I find the following helps me to straighten out but its not a permanent effect.
Lie on floor close to a seat cushion (sofa is fine), place your legs up on the cushion at right angles wuth edge of cushion touching angle behind knees. Bottom is nearly touching chair. Then start to relax your top half from bottom up. Once you have your whole torso feeling relaxed raise your arms above head resting them on floor. I give this a good 15 mins 3 times a week. I feel as if I have a poker straiggt back afterwards.

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Aldom Mon 25-Aug-25 09:59:44

Head up, tummy in, tail under. That's the mantra I was taught when young. It's worked for me. smile

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