Sitting Tips for Better Tummy Control and Posture

The holidays are long over and work is in full swing. For most of you our lovelies, it means the resumption of long sitting hours behind a desk. No matter how to swivel or comfortable your chair or desk is – a sitting position is just that – a sedentary position. The result of long hours in that position? Fat is stored in places they are not needed or wanted. The muscles learn to relax and become lazy. Sitting at a desk all day can take a toll on our posture, leading to slouching of the shoulders, and back and a protruding belly. But aside from the effects on your posture, this research result and article published in sage journals detail the health issues and injury risks associated with consistent long hours of sitting. Although, in the interest of this blog topic, we will be concentrating on the effects of ‘sitting all day’ on your posture.

Proper posture is essential for maintaining a healthy and toned tummy. When we slouch or slump, our abdominal muscles become weak and ineffective, leading to a protruding belly and poor core stability. On the other hand, good posture helps to engage and strengthen the abdominal muscles, leading to a flatter and more toned stomach.

The body’s posture is an essential element of achieving a toned and flat tummy. By keeping the spine in its natural alignment, engaging the transverse abdominal muscles, and maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise routine, you can help to strengthen your core and achieve a flatter, more toned stomach. Always stand tall and confident, engage your core and practice good posture throughout the day, this will bring long-term benefits to your overall health and appearance.

However, for most of us, there is very little we can do to change the need for a sedentary lifestyle. (Not especially if you want to keep your job. Right?) Notwithstanding, let’s delve into a few simple things we can do or change going forward to help us improve our posture and avoid this common problem.

Steps To Improve Your Posture Even in A Sedentary Position.

• • First and foremost, make sure that your chair and desk are at the correct height: Your chair should be adjusted so that your feet can rest flat on the floor and your knees are at a 90-degree angle. Your desk should be high enough that your elbows are level with the top of the desk when you’re sitting up straight.

• • Next, pay attention to your posture: It’s easy to slouch when you’re sitting for long periods of time, but this can lead to protruding belly and back pain. To maintain good posture, sit up straight and engage your core muscles. This will help to pull your shoulders back and keep your spine in alignment.

• • Another effective way to improve posture is to take frequent breaks and move around. Sitting for long periods of time can cause the muscles in your back and stomach to weaken, which can lead to poor posture. To counteract this, take a break every 30 minutes to stand up and stretch. You can also do simple exercises, such as standing up and sitting back down, to engage your core muscles and improve your posture.

• • One of the most important things to remember when it comes to proper posture is to keep the spine in its natural alignment. This means avoiding slouching or slumping, which can cause the spine to curve in the wrong direction and put unnecessary strain on the muscles and ligaments of the back and abdomen. Instead, try to keep your shoulders back and down, your chest lifted, and your chin parallels to the ground. This will help to keep the spine in a neutral position and engage the abdominal muscles, giving you a flatter, more toned tummy.

• • Another important aspect of proper posture for tummy control is to engage the transverse abdominal muscles. These muscles run horizontally across the abdomen and are responsible for keeping the stomach flat and tight. To engage these muscles, try pulling your belly button in towards your spine as if you were trying to touch your lower back with your belly button. This will help to activate the transverse abdominal muscles and give you better control over your tummy.

• • Additionally, it is important to maintain a healthy diet and regular exercise routine to achieve a toned tummy. Proper nutrition and regular physical activity are essential for maintaining a healthy weight and building muscle, both of which are crucial for achieving a toned and flat stomach. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, and getting regular cardiovascular and strength-training exercises can help to burn fat, build muscle, and improve overall health and fitness.

• • Lastly, consider using body-shaping undergarments: Body-shaping undergarments like shapewear, corsets, and bodysuits can provide support to the abdominal and back muscles, helping to pull the shoulders back and promote a more upright posture. However, it is essential to note that wearing body-shaping undergarments should not replace regular exercise and good posture habits, as they are not a long-term solution.

Body Shaping Undergarments: How They Can Improve Your Posture.

Body shaping undergarments, such as shapewear, corsets, and bodysuits, can help improve your posture by providing support to the abdominal and back muscles. These garments work by compressing and smoothing the stomach and back, which can help pull the shoulders back and promote a more upright posture. Additionally, some body-shaping undergarments feature built-in boning, which can provide additional support to the spine and help to keep the body in proper alignment. 

Let’s not forget the added benefit of giving a flattering figure. Plus, you do not have to be bored with your choice of shapewear. Go ahead and explore your inner diva at least spice up or give yourself a styling motivation for wearing the shapewear other than posture. Thank us later! However, it is important to note again that wearing body-shaping undergarments should not replace regular exercise and good posture habits, as they are not a long-term solution.

In conclusion, sitting at a desk all day can cause poor posture and a protruding belly, but we have listed simple things we can do to improve our posture and avoid this common problem. A simple act such as  adjusting your chair and desk to the correct height, paying attention to your posture, taking frequent breaks and moving around, and using body-shaping undergarments, can go a long way to help improve your posture and avoid a protruding belly. 

So, do you have posture issues due to your working environment? Have you tried any of these tips previously to help correct your posture? Do you have any other tips to share with us? So many questions, but we love to hear from you. Tell us in the comments. Cheers to a beautiful you.