For those of you who have worked out with me before you know I preach POSTURE. Posture is a very important aspect of your fitness program and so many people do not realize this.

If you stand up straight and tall and are conscious of this you will find that it will help in so many ways. A good way to find good posture is to put your arms behind your back and kind of cross them over at the end of your tailbone. Be sure your feet are shoulder width apart and facing forward or slightly to the outside, depending on your normal stance. Pull your abdominals in tight and slightly tilt your pelvis forward. Do this next time you are at the grocery store waiting in line. Remember this stance and you can teach your muscles correct posture at any time.

By forcing yourself to stand straight and tall you will align your spine and even force your abdominal muscles to line up correctly.

*Good exercises to enhance posture are:

*Rowing - squeezing the shoulder blades together

*Butterfly - open your arms wide, elbows bent, and arms parallel with the floor. Open and close your arms

*Any abdominal exercises and be sure to add lower back exercises to enhance muscle balance and strength

*And of course, the icing on the cake of posture is your shoulders! Do shoulder raises to enhance these muscles. Remember there are 3 muscle movements in the shoulders - front, side and rear.

Be aware of your posture because it says a lot about you.