Dooley Noted: 12/3/2014
As my boyfriend kissed me goodbye this morning, he stated something poignant.
“You raised your shoulders when you kissed me. Give me a stronger kiss.”
He was right. I dropped my shoulders and hit repeat.
I was stealing my own strength and stability with an unconscious, everyday habit.
Let’s face it: no matter how many hours you spend in the gym, you spend much more time out of it.
Your everyday habits count much more to your movement behavior than your gym time.
Also, we can’t expect our gym time to solely undo our faulty habits.
Movement is a habit. Make sure you pick habits that strengthen you. Learn to catch yourself, and teach others so they can catch you.
Here are some simple tricks to build stability and strength into your movement.
1. Hugging: Hug upwards, so you keep the spine more neutral for both of you.
2. Hand shaking: Don’t flex the wrist or hike the shoulder.
3. Working: Don’t let your environment stay the same day after day. Shift the way you sit, stand and where your computer is placed.
4. Bags: Don’t let them hang aimlessly on your shoulders. Be strong and hold the bag with purpose, at you side or in the rack position.
5. Tying your shoes: Avoid flexing fully at a low back hinge. Hinge from the hip, as if punching the back wall with your back pockets.
For more life carryover tips, check out the drdooleynoted YouTube channel.
Check yourself before you wreck yourself – not just in the gym, but in life.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley