I have never really told you what I do for living. Without going too much into the detail, I work in the financial industry. Working in the finance, as you can imagine, very often means that I sit all day long and stare at the computer screen while doing my best at securing my clients’ financial future. So the key word in the previous sentence was SIT… Sit all day long! It wouldn’t be too bad, but I have a horrible habit of sitting in the ways that are not good for my back. Most of the times you will see me sitting on the edge of a chair, even when I’m eating at home, which is a big no-no, or with my legs crossed. I don’t even know why I do it because it is not even a particularly comfortable position! *I know, you can call me dum-dum from now on!*
Anyhow, with RRSP season (Registered Retirement Savings Plan: a Canadian program to help residents save for retirement and reduce their taxable income at the same time) quickly approaching, my days are getting busier and busier. Thus, the last thing on my mind will be thinking if I’m sitting properly. So I decided to be proactive and educate myself a little bit more about what I could do in order to keep my back straight and avoid injury.
As you also know, good posture is critical to a runner’s success. Try this workout to improve your posture and to prevent hunched shoulders.
Now it’s your turn! Does your job require sitting for prolonged periods of time? How do you stay aware if you’re sitting properly?
xoxo
Olena
candies & crunches 
This is great. I sit all day long too and have the worst posture! Thanks so much for sharing!
You are welcome Sara!
I sit for hours and have noticed I’m starting to slouch over the keyboard. Thanks for the tips!
You’re very welcome! I have the same concern lol! xoxo
Great post! I sat for so many hours at my old job (we’re talking consistent 16+ hour days in front of the computer) that I developed terrible migraines + a pinched ocular nerve that led to seeing spots in my vision! It’s crazy to think that something as simple as sitting in front of a computer can cause such issues. I went through physical therapy to try to strengthen my back, but I still have chronic neck pain. I will try the video you linked to! Thanks!
You’re very welcome Megan! I hope it helps to fix your back and neck. 2 years ago I went to see a chiropractor and he was able to fix similar problems for me. Have you tried to see someone apart from doing physical therapy? xoxo
At the end of the day, my back is usually in a ton of pain – I’ve got to try these to see if they help!
Hi Laura! I knowwww, at the end of the day I feel like I am a handicap too. I go for massage from time to time, but I figured that I should be more proactive than that. xoxo
Definitely guilty of rocking the hunch especially after hours of being stuck on the computer. I’ll have to try this routine tonight!
Yay! Let me know how you like it! I’m also looking forward to doing it tonight. xoxo
I tried to reply to your comment on my blog from my iphone app, but it deleted your comment. I’m sorry!
Ahaha! No worries! It happens. As long as you let me know what exactly you did to burn 1000 Kcal in an hour. I’m super curious! xoxo
Plyometrics. Lots of squats and jumps. They really get the HR up!
As I am sitting here reading this I noticed my posture was bad.. so I corrected it. Most people sit with poor posture some of the time. Definitely a good reminder and great tips!
Thank you, girlie! You gotta keep that posture right for your wedding dress 😉
xoxo
Olena
Hi, I found you from Sara’s blog and as soon as I saw the title of this post I knew I had to read it. I admit I have poor posture and will definitely benefit from these tips. Thanks!
Hi Meranda! Thank you so much for passing by! I think that simply constantly paying attention to our posture and being aware of it is 60% of success, the rest is what we decide to do with it. 🙂
xoxo
Olena
I’m a weird combo of fitness freak and couch potato. My posture is better than it used to be but I know it still sucks, especially when I’m sitting at my desk trying to write.
After a while I got sick of my desk being too tall for my chair (need a new chair really) so I stacked a folded blanket under the added seat cushion (chair is so old it has no cushion and nails/screws were sticking through) just so I could sit higher. Now I don’t have to scrunch my shoulders up to comfortably reach the keyboard. It was only about 2 inches but that makes all the difference in the world.
But since I fidget around a lot in my chair and don’t have good posture, my back is constantly getting stiff. So I stretch and get up to move around every 30 minutes to an hour depending on how occupied my brain is.
You reminded me of how my parents were used to put a pillow under my butt when I was little and doing homework, so that my posture didn’t suffer. xoxo