Cultivating Everyday Elegance: 2 Ways to Develop Excellent Posture Over 50

How to develop good posture on Over 50 Feeling 40

Happy Monday, ladies!  Today, in our journey to cultivate everyday elegance, I am discussing two Important ways I use to help develop excellent posture over 50.  Every single author I have read about elegance mentions the importance of posture.  Elegant women have excellent posture and move with purposeful grace.  That is a bit intimidating if you are attempting to develop elegance later in life.  I realize most of us walked with books on our heads around the house when we were younger, but it is all too easy to lose the stance.

Genevieve Antoine Dariaux writes in A Guide to Elegance: “In normal life, it is always to a woman’s advantage to hold herself straight, as if she wished to stretch her height by several inches, even if she is already very tall.  A rounded back, sagging shoulders and a drooping chin create an image of extreme lassitude, or discouragement with life…and of being ten years older than you really are.”    Ouch! I don’t want that!

Tish Jett concurs in Forever Chic, “A major reason Frenchwomen of a certain age often appear younger than their years is the way they move. They have terrific posture – standing and sitting – and unless a Frenchwoman is strolling with a man or gossiping with her best friend, she tends to lope rather than walk down the street.  She strides with shoulders back, head up, hair free, and slight swing of the arm not attached to a great bag, and her steps are long and purposeful.”

Tish adds that because of their stance, the Frenchwoman’s clothing looks smart and stylish!  Jennifer L Scott writes that posture is a key part of our overall presentation.

 

THE MIRROR…REALLY IS YOUR FRIEND

 The first major way to improve posture is to understand it takes a lot of self-checking with purpose and thoughtfulness to improve.  I am still very much a work in progress. But, I try to constantly remain aware of my posture, which means I look in the mirror often to see if I am sitting or standing straight.  I have been working on this for years, but if I do not stay aware, it is easy to slump….especially when I literally spend hours in front of a computer, sitting in a chair.  I try to be aware to stand more than sit, and move more than be idle.

When we finally got the RING app with a camera that watches those who come and go at the front door, I was shocked and appalled at watching me leave the house.  I looked like my mother in her later years…always walking hunched over.  That was a big wake up call to begin paying attention to my posture … (Sign) yet again.

 

STRENGTH WORK IS A MUST

 

I began working with a strength trainer shortly after I was diagnosed with Osteopena…the beginning stages of Osteoporosis.  That was seven years ago.  As I stayed faithful in the beginning, my bone scans showed improvement and I was able to avoid medication and avoid the advanced stage. I personally believe that my posture improved dramatically by increasing leg and core strength.  So, now that I am no longer going to the gym, it is a challenge, but very doable to keep working on my core and leg strength.

I have already mentioned that my “office” is upstairs in my house, so I am constantly going up and down the stairs.  When I am faithful to carry a weight while doing that, I feel the strength in my hips and legs increase.  Also, I believe one of the exercises which was most beneficial over the years is the Farmer’s Carry…so good for hips and legs.  Do sit ups with a weight and it will help your core strength immensely.  Do not be afraid of weights…they are important…but be careful not to overdo.

 

MY NEMESIS

 

So far, I have said that the mirror, weights, and stairs are your posture building friends…but there is an enemy. Public enemy number one on my own journey to elegance is my weight.  I must finally once and for all make the changes…for my health more than anything.  It is much easier to practice good posture when at a healthy weight level.  This desire to have good posture, poise and elegance does require discipline in many areas for me.  I must be disciplined to work out, to eat healthier and to self- check my posture often.  I know what to do and how to do it and must maintain the discipline to keep going forward.  Laziness would be a nemesis to anyone as well.

Would anyone else like to offer their tips to help us develop good posture later in life?  Just like elegance, I believe it can be learned…though there are women who seem to stand upright so effortlessly.  For the rest of us, we need to be aware and remember….never too late!

KEEP SMILING!!

FOR YOUR HOME RENOVATIONS, REMEMBER: (Note: any purchases through these links will help fund this blog! Thanks so much!)

Home Depot

Overstock

Bed, Bath, and Beyond

Target

Walmart

Pottery Barn

Lowes

 

JUST A NOTE:

Pamela Lutrell for Goli GummiesThere are several ways that I generate income through this blog in order to cover business expenses and give myself much needed income.  Purchases through the slideshow links is one way, ads on the page is one way and a new way is through ordering or re-ordering the GOLI Apple Cider Vinegar gummies through me with my GOLI LINK HERE.  Again, if you are not familiar with the benefits of apple cider vinegar, you should speak with your personal physician.  My husband and I are sold on the benefits and I am proud to represent this product.  I am going to leave this at the bottom of my posts so that when you, friends or family would like to order you can use my link.  Thanks for the support.  This is a great product; as well as, the ones below!

 

Mr. B and I love our meals from Sun Basket!

Sun Basket on Over 50 Feeling 40

 

Sun Basket is a delicious, easy, fun home delivery meal plan

 

My Complexion Loves Chamonix…My esthetician says my complexion is super tight!

Chamonix on Over 50 Feeling 40

 

All natural, plant-cell technology skincare

 

By Pamela Lutrell

22 Comments

  1. This is so important to carrying ourselves gracefully. I tend to slump when I’m at the computer or watching something on t.v., and as soon as I catch myself, like right now, I’m straightening my back and holding my head up. Laziness is a big one for me in this regard! Strength training is so important, and can certainly be more challenging at home, but like you say, can be done. I do it, even if I have to force myself (which I often do!) I’ve heard that we need to keep our chest muscles toned to help keep our backs strong and straight. I have been working weights into my regular walking workouts, easy to do with hand weights. Just have to be careful not to lock joints or overdo. I have some workouts specifically using the hand weights when walking, so I try to do these more often. Stairs….when you mentioned that awhile ago, I realized I could use some work in that area too. I have been taking them two at a time (only going up – not safe doing that on the way down!) and could not believe how out of shape I was, even with doing regular workouts. So this is my new challenge – the two-at-a-time steps, and it is certainly a challenge! Thank you for this reminder to sit up straight. It has to become a habit like anything else, and we have the additional challenge that our moms didn’t have because of looking down at phone screens and sitting at computers. I remember having to walk around with books on my head too! : )

  2. Thanks for this, Karen! I am going to mix in two at a time this week! Only going up though!

  3. Love today’s topic! 💖 As a girl of about twelve, my mother signed me up for modeling school: “Mabs Martin, School of Modeling”!! This was in the outskirts of Reno, Nevada, circa 1975. Mabs’ claim to fame was having taught the young actress who went on to become Ellie May Clampett in the Beverly Hillbillies. She may have played the part of a hillbilly, but she did have GREAT POSTURE! ☺ At any rate, that little school taught me a lot about polish, posture, perfecting what God gave you, and poise. No doubt heading into my teen years, my mother felt I could use all the help at hand. While I only ever did the tiniest bit of “luncheon modeling,” the instruction stayed with me and has served me well all these years. Yes, we walked with books on our heads around the studio wearing our leotards in front of the mirrors, but we also learned to sashay model-style. “With the most upright posture, walk always with your destination in mind, pause, pivot, and continue on your way.” This I recall as vividly today as ever, though I must admit that for everyday use a person can feel a little silly gliding around on a make believe catwalk. 🤷‍♀️ Happy Monday to all!

  4. I’ve been doing a Tai Chi for seniors class for the last 8 years or so and have become very aware of my posture thru’ that. In fact, my sister in law actually said when she saw me after several months absence “You carry yourself so much better.” It has really made me self aware and when I tend to slump (which is often) I try to remember her words and how good it feels really to stand correctly aligned! It really does FEEL better to use good posture. The added bonus? You feel younger and more vibrant. And elegant.
    If you don’t feel you can go to a class with others there are plenty of tapes/on-line instructions available.

  5. I love, love, love your story Connie and the quote you shared! Thank you so much for sharing.

  6. Thanks for sharing this Carol. I knew this audience would have great suggestions.

  7. I follow Margaret Martin’s Exercise for Better Bones. She’s a physical therapist. Her book has 13 posture building exercises. Her website melioguide.com is excellent. She also has videos on YouTube.
    As for weight loss, I have lost 38 lbs since lockdown began. I do weight watchers online. The app is extremely supportive. I especially like the social media part. Very motivating. I learn from both struggling stories and success stories. People are successful with different food strategies. I like the clean eating approach, but some find ways to keep their treat foods in their program. There is age, racial and ethnic diversity among the people who post.
    I pray for strength, health and yes, happiness for everybody during these challenging times.

  8. Thanks for your comment, Linlee. I have done WW off and on before. I am going to check into your Better Bones information…that looks good.

  9. My 6th-grade teacher had the entire class walk up and down stairs with books on our heads. I’m not sure what else I learned in the 6th grade but the good posture lesson is one I’ve never forgotten! You look taller, thinner, and younger when you stand up straight. Slouching when sitting emphasizes my tummy so I’m also conscious of my posture when I’m sitting.

  10. Thank you, Nancy…these are all great benefits for being aware of our posture.

  11. Pam you are a great inspiration to all of us. I love today’s post. I have been trying to straighten my posture too. Some days I do better than others, but i feel much better if I stand and sit tall. I just tried to take our stairs 2 at a time and realize that I need lots of work !
    Thank you for all you do for us !

  12. You are so welcome, Beth. Thanks for being here…and be careful on the stairs!

  13. The moment I started reading this , I checked my posture, & sure enough, I was slouched & leaning to the one side. I immediately sat up straight. I, too, have stopped thinking about my posture, so I will be working along with you on this. I appreciate the comment on Tai Chi as I have thought this might be helpful for me. I will look into doing this at home during these uncertain times.

  14. This is such a great subject and I wish I knew a cure. It’s so important, not only for our appearance, but for our internal organs. It’s sad to see so many young people slumped over their phones. A physical therapist once told me “sternum up, shoulders back”, but I have to keep reminding myself since I naturally slump. I’ll be so glad when senior centers and group lessons resume where I find more encouragement than watching exercise videos at home. Keep at it Pam – you’ll get there!

  15. My mother was an absolute maniac about good posture. My sister & I grew up with the mantra: “head UP, shoulders BACK, chest OUT, eyes FRONT, stride OUT” 🙂 She always told us to look people squarely in the eye & to walk down the street as though we “had a place to go & a reason for doing so” (even if we were just strolling along looking at the sights). I hated it but it worked. I’ve had people compliment me on my good posture all my life & have been told I walk down a street as though I own it. As for sitting: make sure you sit upright & squarely on your “sit” bones, not on your lower spine. This will help prevent lower back & sciatic problems, too.

    From yoga: balance your head on top of your spine, don’t jut it forward (especially as you walk — your head weighs a lot & it puts a terrible strain on your back muscles to keep you from falling forward if your head is out in front of you as you walk, plus it looks unattractive). Keep shoulders back & down (pinch your shoulder blades together very slightly). This is a trigger area for many women. I’ve always been slim but a bit busty & like so many girls in early adolescence rounded my shoulders to make my breasts less noticeable to avoid being teased. Thank goodness my mother got on me about it early to break the habit. It didn’t just give me better posture, it encouraged me to stand up for myself & not put up with any nonsense from the boys (or anyone else).

    And I’m an advocate of free weights. Get a set of light weights (2 to 8 lbs in whatever increments work for you) & develop a regular routine. You’re not training to be a body builder, you’re just building bone mass & strength, which benefit you tremendously as you age. Check out 87y/o Ruth Bader Ginsburg if you don’t think it helps!

    GREAT topic, Pam! We’re never “too old” until we decide we are.

  16. Good point, Sharon. Watching people on their phones is troubling…not only are they slumping but they are frowning and missing out on the world around them!

  17. Thanks, Janet. I have those free weights and they do help so much. This is a very helpful comment….Love, love your mother’s mantra.

  18. Great tips! I really think computer work is the worst. I just bought a 32″ computer monitor to hook up to my laptop to avoid leaning into the smaller screen. Working at home is killing my neck and back.

  19. Great tips! I really think computer work is the worst. I just bought a 32″ computer monitor to hook up to my laptop to avoid leaning into the smaller screen. Working at home is killing my neck and back.

  20. I love your blog Pam and I am going to subscribe so I don’t miss anything!. You write so beautifully thank you for sharing yout thoughts. I find a regular practice of yoga really helps with my posture as I have sciatica and I am quite big busted for a petite woman. But totally with you on following a desire to cultivate elegance as we age. All the best, Francesca .

Comments are closed.