I believe everything happens for a reason. Even if it appears painful, there is something to be learned. It happened to me, dead on, full force blow to the ego. I am a huge believer in movement, mobility, and flexibility. I am writing this before I go out for a run to be followed by a bike ride before work. I will be lifting weights this evening after work. I am always trying to get better and faster while not getting injured. So when I volunteered to undergo a posture evaluation by a posture specialist, I was quite taken back to find out that I flunked most of the examination. Come on! It is that bad? Everything about how I stand, sit, move? I assessed the other people in the gym and surely I could out run, bike or swim most of them. How could it be that I was a structural disaster? After the first assessment, that lasted an hour and a half, with a lot of oh yeah and oh my by the trainer, I came home to think I was being lead astray. How could I be in such bad shape and why did I have to wait until another visit to hear the few things I needed to do to become perfect again. I love to learn and I am a fact checker. So out come the books that I possess on mobility and movement and training. When I went back to hear the diagnosis and to get corrective instruction I was taken aback. I was told I had a lot of tight areas and shown some release techniques. I am aware of being tight from training so that was all good. A positive was to get immediate relief of some tight areas that came from being active. All good. Athletes get tight muscles and I am an athlete so that is good.
Now the hard to swallow news. The photos. I have never preferred to be the subject of photos but happier to be the photographer. So this was an uncomfortable session in the first place. Me posing in my best posture while the trainer makes subtle comments about how much work will need to be done. Ok let’s see the results. Bam! Even I could tell how bad it was. How could I have been standing like that all of these years. Belly out, rounded shoulders pulled up to my ears leaning posteriorly. OUCH. This was a hard diagnosis to swallow. I will need to relearn a lot of things. I will need to add corrective routines to my already busy schedule to fix these problems. I will need to read more about my problems. Nothing appears to be good. I am tanking. Do I want to stay the course or improve my lot?
And then as I was wallowing in self doubt, it hit me. I do this every day to people that come in my office eating the Standard American Diet. All of the the things they ate that they thought was healthy were not. I informed them that what they are eating is leading to their lifestyle diseases and that everything will need to be altered in order to reverse these terrible ailments. I see the look of disbelief. The confusion and frustration. Why are they not jumping for joy that I have the cure? Why are they disappointed? Why not just drop everything and change?
I try to be supportive. We teach classes. I am available. But that is not really the problem is it. The problem is that we hear what we have been doing for a long time is what has caused disease or injury to ourselves. We hear that we are not experts in the simple things of life like feeding ourselves or standing correctly. We grade ourselves in the context of those around us. If someone is worse off then we slide up the scale. There is always someone worse. We all want an “A” in life skills. At least an “A” in standing up!!
So it is time for me to admit I have a lot of work to do on my posture and mobility. I need to learn much more and will rely on my trainer’s expertise to guide me. I will ask questions and challenger her but I will be doing my exercises daily to try and better myself the best that I can. Humble pie is not sweet but it will make your strong in the end.
I will also have more regard for those of you struggling to change. We are all in this together and the goal is to be the best versions of ourselves that we can be.
Thank you for reading.
13 Comments
Julia
Great insight. Sometimes it’s what we experience ourselves that gives us wisdom to help others on their journey. Sounds like this is going to help you help us even more. Thanks for stretching 🙆♀️ (pardon the pun) yourself to help us stretch more to reach our health goals.
Dr. Dulaney
I was given a daily plan for active tissue release using rollars and a hard ball. I am also following a set of posture cues to get my spine in line. The hardest part is sitting at a computer. I am adjusting as I write this. My expectations for myself and my menbers are high and we will get there together one step at a time.
Thank you
Dede
What can I say you are amazing !!!
It came as a shock to me that anything could be wrong with you ! Honestly the other day at cooking class I thought what a great posture you had !
Shoulders pulled back and you stood so straight .
I have rounded shoulders and I know it takes a lot of work and concentration to hold those shoulders back
Your doing great . Keep up the good work!
After I get this lifestyle change in place I will work on my shoulders ! Heck I should just work on all of it!
I had Keith make me a vegan meal last night
Even though it wasn’t Tuesday ! He was glad to
Accommodate. Me !! Great guy
Have a great day !!
You are a inspiration to all of us !
Thank you
Dr. Dulaney
Thank you DeDe. In the Tour de France they give the white jersey to the best new athlete. I am giving it to you.
Janet
Such an interesting article; thanks for sharing.
I am learning so much from you. As a result of meeting you, I am determined to make this the year where I really do change from being flexitarian/part time vegan to being 100% WFPB. And, I have you to thank for motivating me!
Thank you Dr. Dulaney!!
Dr. Dulaney
Thank you! We will improve together.
Donna
I love your blogs. I learn so much from you. I recommend you highly to all my friends that want to change. Sometimes it is just a lack of knowledge not a lack of desire to change. For years I prayed to be set free from an eating disorder, never realizing it had to do with what I was eating that was causing it. Just finally learning the difference between plant based whole foods and veganism changed my life. Thank you.
Dr. Dulaney
Thank you for the kind words and insight.
aprilosby7019
Helpful info. Lucky me I discovered your site by accident, and I am shocked why this coincidence did not took place earlier! I bookmarked it.
Dr. Dulaney
Thank you. Please share with friends!
Donna Berry
WOW….really interesting stuff! We all are probably in the same boat as you. I hope you will consider having her teach some classes at your office. I know I would love to learn more about posture…. I am a “sloucher” 🙁
Dr. Dulaney
Thank you. She will be doing a session in the office in August. We will post as soon as the date is firm. I believe we an all benefit!
Donna Berry
Fantastic!!!! I think the entire Berry Family will definitely learn a lot from this session. Thank you for getting it set up for us all! You are an amazing woman!!!! You are my role model…even if your posture need some help 🙂