Ten days deep into 2014: how’re those fitness resolutions coming along? I know it’s tough, but don’t let it weigh you down. Speaking of being weighed down…
I’ve been reading a lot about the stress gravity puts on our backs 24/7. Sitting for hours in our cars and at work doesn’t help the situation; it just puts pressure directly on the base of our spines. Not cool. Here are a few things people are doing to counteract the negative effects of gravity.
1) Sleep more (I told you naps were ‘in’ this year). Specifically sleep with just one pillow. The closer to ‘flat and horizontal,’ the better. Here’s why: while you sleep, your back gets to take a break from holding you up all day, and the fluid (I hate that word) between your vertebrae gets replenished.
2) Hang out. Have you seen those late-night infomercials where they show elderly people hanging upside-down to relieve back pain? Well that’s basically a more extreme/fun way to amp up the fluid (gross) fix I talked about above. My trainer told me that I can get similar results hanging from my arms, right-side-up, on a chin-up bar. Don’t worry, I’m not suggesting you do a chin-up, ‘cause I know I can’t do one.
3) Back abs. I know there aren’t abs in your back, but there’s an exercise that’s a lot like crunches—except you’re face down. I call them “cobras” because you lay on your stomach and lift your top half repeatedly. Working your lower back will help you combat gravity. Google it or ask one of the trainers you see around the gym. You pay for that membership; they can at least give you advice on how to work out safely.
Hang in there,
Richy T.—Time to try defying gravity.
