How Do I Know if I am doing the WW Posture Correctly?

It is not a matter of imitating. Understanding the principles from the book is the way I realised what I had to do, and discussing it with others on the Forums.

Understanding what is what inside your body is the other part. I suggest that you use your fingers to identify your own organs in different positions and figure out how they change position in different postures. There is no need to do it repeatedly once you know where everything is. Use the self-exam in the book as a starting point.

Joining the two up so they reconcile is the aim.

Louise

Hi POP girl

I found it takes time to perfect the posture, and to be able to maintain it all the time. I'd agree with Louise that it's essential to understand the reasons for the posture by studying the book. Then it's a questions of trial and error. It is easy to forget at first and it is tiring at first, but with practice, and asking questions to reassure yourself when it feels hard, or not quite right, it really does become second nature.

Doubtful

It is like learning a new dance, or a musical instrument, or learning tennis from scratch. It can feel weird for quite a while, and you don't think you are getting anywhere, then one thing becomes easier, then another, then another. I think it is called muscle memory.

Different people learn in different ways. Some learn by being physically taught. Others learn by reading and interpreting. Others learn by imitation.

The more you practise, the quicker you will learn.

hi POPgurl
it took me a long time to learn the posture, mostly from reading the posts here and about a month of trying to understand the philosophy and which movements make which contributions, etc. so it took me over a month I'd say, and I'm a physical therapist! so its not just you!
that said, you can learn it and when you get it right you will know. it will feel right.
until then, keep at it, keep trying to understand what it is you are trying to accomplish and play with it.
read as many posts describing the posture here as you can, different phrases or explanations help different people. "proud holding" of the abdomen helped me visualize how the belly would look (not hanging out or flopping forward), shoulders down and broad "like a coat hanger" was another helpful phrase for me. but read on and you'll find key phrases that help you visualize.
keep at it, you'll get it! (and ask away...I must've asked thousands of questions when I first got here)

I have a question, I am doing ww posture for about 3 weeks, but I notice that my stomach is coming out a lot??? They asked if I am pregnant???
My stomach is going forward, I think because I raise my chest from last rib, and maybe the stomach comes with it up ?
Is that normal in you guys, do you also have a protruding stomach?

Please some one help,

Hi Shekina,

It could be that you are more used to the cultural ideal of a flat belly than the gentle, outward curve of natural female posture. It does take time to get used to "loving your belly". Until recent times, the belly was always portrayed as soft and relaxed - as it must be for proper breathing and organ placement. If your chest is lifted, you should experience a "proud holding", which looks entirely different from the classic "suck and tuck" posture we are used to seeing.

My guess is, you're just not used to holding your stomach in this way. It is the "toughest sell" of the WW work...but once women get it, they love it.

Good luck!

Christine

Hi Shekina

My belly stuck out a lot at first and after quite a few months I realized i was overdoing the lumbar curve and certainly overdoing the fruit and vegetables in my quest for a healthier diet. Interestingly it hardly sticks out at all now that I have adjusted those two things. What I also notice is that my abdominal muscles are firmer than they used to be from all the months of pulling up. My stomach isn't flat, but I certainly don't look pregnant of post natal any more and have lost the slight jelly belly effect that I had ever since babies when i was always trying to suck it in. Hope that's some encouragement. It also took me a long time to get used to a slightly more womanly figure, but with time you really won't look pregnant.

Doubtful

Thank you doubtfull, I guess I have to get used to it.
Will get better at it.

Thanks Christine !

I could identify with the lady who said she has to come across the right "picture words" to help her see what to do. Well, this is what I see when I am pulling up into WW posture. I can picture my pelvic bones the way Christine has showed us--as a totally secure boney structure that is perfectly made for the job--and I can see that this boney structure is tilted forward! Then I pull up into posture with my lower back and shoulders, knees, feet and chin. In my mind, I picture all of my organs (that I am trying to preserve) being put into my pelvic area like objects being put into a "basket" or a "pocket". When I do this, it feels really healthy and right to me and it really feels like I am doing something very specific to take care of myself.

I hope someone might find this helpful.

;)

I like your idea of a pocket. It implies 'putting in', rather than 'pushing up'. The organs will stay there if they are put in, whereas they will simply push back down if they are pushed up.

:-)