Look 10 Pounds Thinner With Good Posture

My fashion go-to gal Fab has been giving you tips on rocking your bikini, and I have one to add to the mix. To quote my father, "Stand up straight." Good posture not only makes you look confident, it can make you look up to 10 pounds thinner. Slouching curves the spine forward, creating rolls on the belly, no matter how toned those abs might be.

In my experience in the Pilates studio, the majority of my clients tuck the bum under and let the ribs fall behind their center allowing the shoulders to round forward — definitely not standing straight.

The solution is pretty simple:

1. Stick out your booty: You need to correct the pelvis before you can affect the rest of the torso. To untuck your pelvis, you need the pubic bone and the two bones at the top of the pelvis (known as ASIS) to form a triangle perpendicular to the ground. To find your ASIS, put your hands on your hips just like the gal in the photo.
2. Ribs move forward: Once the pelvis is aligned straight up and down, you need to place the ribcage on top of it. I like to the think of the pelvis and the ribcage as the building blocks of the torso. By moving your ribs forward over your pelvis you lengthen the front of your torso, which helps to naturally pull in your abs. Think of the ribcage moving up and forward.
3. Open your chest: Slouching rolls the shoulders forward, closing down the chest. Simply thinking of expanding your chest wide to the sides. Your breast bone (aka sternum) is technically part of your ribcage, so continue the process by moving that forward-and-up feeling in your chest too.

This tip works whether you're sporting a bikini or a one-piece, wearing a halter dress or short shorts. Not only will you look good, your spine will appreciate your good posture too.