Comments on: How to Move Heavy Objects

By: Lucy Van Baars

Lucy Van Baars — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 16:41:35 +0000

Hi Margaret, thank you so much for all the support and guidance you provide. It is so helpful and gives me some hope I can find a way of navigating living independently despite having severe osteoporosis.
I recently had what the consultant called a ‘burst fracture’ in my spine which was awful as I’m sure so many people living with osteoporosis know. I am now moving around a lot better and off the pain meds but very anxious about causing a new fracture to occur. This means I’m afraid to do certain activities, but have to do them as I live independently. I’ve watched your daily activities guide and found them helpful but I am wondering about my low down fridge. I live in a rented apartment and the fridge freezer I have puts the fridge on thd bottom half. I access my fridge severaltimes a day and need to use all the shelves. Unfortunatelyto reach into the bottom 3 shelves is s bit of a struggleand an action I’m aware may cause future micro fractures or worse. I have a grabber/reacher and this can be really helpful. But I have accidents. Am I able to reach into the back of the fridge at a height lower than my knees safely or should I try to get a fridge freezer that has the fridge on top? I use the freezer less often. (For information sakes, I’m 41yrs old).
Thank you so much in anticipation. Lu

By: Margaret Martin

Margaret Martin — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 19:26:56 +0000

In reply to Leona Tichenor. HI Leona, Thank you for sharing your story. You are correct that we are all born with our own distinct shape of our hip joint, allowing us to rotate more internally (toes and femur in) or externally (toes and femur out). The wider stance is more stable in terms of balance. I wish you many more years of squatting and yard work. Margaret

By: Leona Tichenor

Leona Tichenor — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 15:16:39 +0000

Thank you. In the set up for squatting (or deadlifting) I have found I can fire the glutes more effectively if I widen stance and turn feet ever so slightly out. I suspect the best foot position varies from individual to individual probably based on natural differences in hip joint shape. Regularly practicing squatting helps fine tune the strongest stance (and safest) from which to work. The more I squat in the gym, the more instinctively I practice good posture in the yardwork.

By: Cindy Stephenson

Cindy Stephenson — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 18:31:43 +0000

Excellent. Thanks very much.

By: Ellen Solt

Ellen Solt — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 19:55:10 +0000

I love your videos. This is another one of your excellent videos, in which you effectively convey simple things that make a BIG difference for each of us participating in life -with education and encouragement to take the time to think, and to choose safe ways for our bodies and our backs, to do whatever we are working to accomplish. I learned something new today to protect my spine. I will be leaning my forearms on my thighs asap from this point forward, for my legs to do more of the lifting. Thank you!
From my experience, applying tape (that would hold a bandage in place) along each side of the spine can be a simple reminder to avoid bending forward; use this for short ‘training’ periods of time, i.e. when you are going to move a stone you usually don’t move -or do something you know you tend to bend before realizing it -or doing an activity that is new to you. {Be sure to keep the tape on for a relatively short duration, as the tape can cause blisters if you bend too much while wearing it.}.
I love sharing ideas; I hope it can be a helpful tool for others! -Ellen

By: Barb

Barb — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 23:41:40 +0000

Thanks so much. I hadn’t even been aware that I was not moving my feet in the direction of the destination. I will try to remember all this now!

By: Richard Martin

Richard Martin — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 11:56:43 +0000

In reply to Angel.

Hi Angel:

Margaret has yet to find a product that she has used and recommends for posture correction. She encourages her clients to take an active role in their posture. She has a page dedicated to Perfect Posture:

http://melioguide.com/health-guides/perfect-posture/

By: Angel

Angel — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 02:30:32 +0000

Excellent video. Just what I needed to learn. I find myself bending over so much I wish there was a device that either stopped the forward bend or alerted me when I’ve started a forward bend. Are there such devices? I notice my forward after I’m in it. Thanks