WW posture and the tummy

Submitted by Aussie Mum on May 31, 2010 - 6:12am
Body: 

Hi, I was hoping for any thoughts on what came out of my women's physio appointment today.

Today the physio assessed my pelvic structure, all joints etc seem ok and posture is even which is great. She also checked out my lumbar spine which is a bit bulgey, I think it always has been, but is moreso since childbirth. She noticed it looks a little swollen looking and said maybe it is more chronic and mildly inflammed - after pressing it etc, it seemed quite tight (but not very painful) on the left side, so she gave a massage and said to see if it improves. She also commented that my lumbar curve is quite pronounced (probably due to me doing WW posture - which I have told her all about). She is all for keeping a natural lumbar curve, but suggested I pull my tummy muscles in just a little. She felt that if I don't keep my abdomen strong that it will have an effect on my lower back and the whole area will become weaker. Since doing the WW posture my tummy looks so much bigger, in fact I only really hold weight on my there and it is starting to look a bit largish! Does anyone else hold their tummy in just a teensy bit? Or is the advice to let it hang out? If you have a larger tummy, is letting it hang bad for your lower back. I was thinking if you are really slim the posture may be different to someone who is overweight? I am a healthy weight, but have a belly! Any thoughts much appreciated.

granolamom

May 31, 2010 - 8:34am

I'm a healthy weight but I also have a tummy (having 5 kids in 11 years will do that to ya!). the only time my back starts to hurt due to what feels like muscle imbalance, is when I overdo nauli. I mean like I spend more than 10 min a few times a day at it (don't get me wrong, I dont' think thats necessary, its just that much fun).
when you are standing in ww posture, the abdominals are active. if your belly is just flopping/hanging out, than you aren't completely in posture. think about separating your breasts and belly button as much as possible, lifting your chest as you do that. if you place a hand on your midriff or low abdomen, you should feel the muscles get taut (not tighten, that would be pulling in, but get tight like a rubber band that's being pulled at both ends).
my belly is more pronounced when I stand in wholewoman posture and it takes getting used to. at first I was very self conscious about it, but now I feel taller and more, I dunno, elegant? maybe when I'm in posture. I get comments all the time about my posture, positive ones, I mean. so I've embraced the look.
and not to get all nit-picky, but if you pull your abdominal muscles in, you will probably be decreasing the lumbar curve. not sure how you can maintain the lumbar curve with pulling in the abs. and, when the lumbar curve is pronounce in ww posture, the paraspinals are very very active, so how would they get weak that way? chances are, your therapist is confusing ww lumbar curve with the lumbar lordosis commonly seen in people who have lousy posture and are leaning on their ligaments.
two very different things.

kiki

May 31, 2010 - 12:46pm

i am just echoing gmom
i definately look like a have a tummy now more than ever. having been used to a relatively flat tummy, it was hard to get used to! but now, it is second nature. thanks to nauli and WW posture (i don't nauli nearly enough!) i do have muscles in there, so it definitely strengthens you. i feel very supported. the problem is we are so used to the idea of mega crunches etc... but now i love my belly--very feminine, the way it is meant to be ;-)

Aussie Mum

May 31, 2010 - 6:09pm

Ok, I see what you mean granolamum and yes the physio did mention the 'benefit' of pulling my tummy in to decrease my lumbar curve a little.... I will be concentrating on keeping the upper body lifted, maybe I have slackened off on that part of the posture lately. Must admit I have been in the office chair a bit too much and find it is a bit too high, even at the lowest setting to maintain good posture. End up slouching a bit!

Ohhh that sounds nice - getting compliments about an elegant posture! Must learn to love the belly:) I also must do WW exercises more often - each day I plan to but find it hard to actually get it done. I haven't really got the fire breathing and nauli properly yet - it feels awkward, and takes practice I am sure. It is hard to see on the DVD and I get a bit confused.

granolamom

May 31, 2010 - 7:31pm

took me a long time to figure out the firebreathing and even longer to figure out nauli. but just keep at it, eventually it will click.
and really, those are the only exercises I do regularly. 5 min before I get dressed in the morning and 5 min before I put on my pj's.
and sometimes I nauli in between for kicks. I really need to get out more, lol.