Lose Inches off your waist NOW. No kidding.

You are probably doing it now. We all do it at one time or another. The trick is to "catch" ourselves and fix it fast, as in - yesterday. We tell our kids to do it, let's check ourselves.

I am talking about Proper Posture. In all seriousness, proper posture WILL take inches off your waistline as soon as you implement it. You will also get many other what I call - bonus gifts...

BONUS GIFTS - JUST FOR IMPROVING YOUR POSTURE WHEN YOU STAND, WALK OR SIT: 

• Your midsection WILL lose a few inches just by improving your posture. No kidding. Look in the mirror "before" and "after" improving your posture!
• You WILL exude more confidence
• You WILL appear to be taller
• You WILL strengthen the muscles in your body used for proper posture
• It WILL become second nature to stand, walk and sit this way
• YOU WILL be less prone to injury esp. in the lower back and neck

Let's do it now. 

Since you are reading my blog on the computer, BlackBerry or iPhone, let's check your posture. Are your shoulders hunched over, head down to look at the screen? Thought so. fyi: when the shoulders are rounded forward, head slumped, back curved, it not only throws strain on the lower back, it doesn't look too attractive. (thought the vanity angle would convince you.)

Goal: You want to "reteach" your body to hold the muscles comfortably in this position. Be patient, improper posture didn't happen overnight, neither will reteaching your body to enjoy proper posture.

Let's get busy and fix our posture.

1. First. The shoulder blades. I have written, led and hosted hundreds of zillions of television exercises for "Kiana's Flex Appeal" on the topic of "setting the shoulder blades." Here is what you do:

• retract your scapula or shoulder blades (or pull them together behind you as if you are trying to pinch someone's finger between them)
• push your scapula or shoulder blades down
• recap: retract and push the shoulder blades down.
• hold. this is the correct position. your shoulders should not be  rounded forward.

2. Abs / midsection: Tighten the muscles in the abdominal area, as if you are preparing for someone to "punch" you in the stomach. Or, if you have a good sense of humor, tighten your abs as you do when you are "laughing really hard!" Visualize trying to pull you belly button towards your spine while your muscles are tight. Contract the muscles in your midsection. Hold. Breathe. Get used to the feeling.

3. Standing or walking: When in a standing position, your knees should be slightly bent, the muscles in your butt, hamstrings contracted to hold your body in position. 

4. Head: Head in neutral position, as if balancing a book on top of your head.

5.  Strengthen you muscles: With proper posture, you WILL feel all of the muscles from your nose to your toes involved in stabilizing and maintaining your proper posture.

More Tips:  

• Computer screen at desk: Raise you computer screen it is "eye level." Think about it, you will be more likely to keep you head straight if you are looking straight, right? Raise the screen up on a few beautiful, vintage books or decorated shoe box. It may stay awhile, might as well make it as visually pleasing as possible.

• Belt it: Because proper posture literally takes a few inches off your waist immediately, try wearing a loose belt around your waist that is comfortable when your body is in "proper posture form." When the belt gets a bit tight it will remind you that your back is rounded and you are hunching forward. An easy reminder.

• Advanced: practice retracting and releasing your scapula balanced on a fitness ball. Strengthens your core too! 

• Visualize: Look at yourself in the mirror. Stand normally. Now practice proper posture. WOW! Guaranteed you look MUCH better, taller and more confidant. 

We can do this!